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ofttje 

©mbersiitp  of  iSortl)  Carolina 


Collection  of  Jlortfj  Carolintana 
C97»+4 
A+2. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N  C  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


III 


00032761020 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


THIS 


TITLE  HAS  UEE.N  MlCROF 


LMEO 


1908 


rr-     4FAN<B-ITS-60CZJVTy--S£aT.—4, 

J? 


HISTORICAL  ---BIOGRAPHICAL , 
AGRICULTURAL.-- COMMERCIAL. 


VygffNESVILLE  COURIER? 

PP/CE  PER  COPY,  50  CENTS. 


^^fT^^^^^fTP 


fiCo 


CENTENNIAL 


of 


HAYWOOD  COUNTY 


and  its  County  Seat, 


WAYNESVILLE,  N.  C 


By  W.  C.  ALLEN 
Author  '.Child's  History  of  North  Carolina,  North 
Carolina    History  Stories,  Whigs  and  Tories,  etc. 


Countr  Printing  Companr. 

tOarntsuillt.  .11    <C. 


•^^o^O 


FOREWORD. 

As  this  is  the  centennial  year  of  Haywood  County  and  of  Way- 
nesville,  its  county  seat,  it  is  fitting  that  the  history,  resources, 
and  material  development  of  the  county  be  presented  in  some 
permanent  form  for  the  information  of  our  own  people  as  well  as 
those  who  know  us  not. 

To  furnish  such  information  is  the  purpose  of  this  publication. 
The  history  of  the  county,  the  town,  and  settlements  within  its 
borders,  are  given  with  the  impartiality,  so  far  as  we  are  able,  of 
the  historian.  The  present  resources,  as  known,  and  the  business 
interests,  including  the  mercantile,  banking,  manufacturing,  lum- 
bering, and  agricultural,  are  shown  in  their  true  light. 

"While  due  attention  is  given  to  the  material  interests  of  the 
county,  its  ethical  and  professional  side  is  not  neglected.  The 
educational  and  religious  institutions  and  organizations  are  given 
the  prominence  they  deserve. 

In  a  few  words,  Haywood  County  in  the  past  and  present,. 
comprehending  every  interest,  material,  professional,  and  ethical 
is  set  forth  the  hope  that  a  worthy  county  and  state  pride  will 
be  maintained  and  cherished  by  our  people,  and  that  greater  efforts 
will  be  made  in  the  future  to  set  Haywood  in  the  forefront  of 
the  progressive  counties  of  the  State. 

The  book  is  for  general  distribution.  An  edition  of  three  thou- 
sand copies  is  issued.  It  should  find  its  way  into  every  home  in 
the  county  and  be  read  by  hundreds  and  thousands  in  other- 
localities.  As  a  souvenir  of  the  centennial  year  it  should  be 
highly  prized  by  the  best  citizens  and  placed  in  their  libraries 
for  frequent  reference. 

The  thanks  of  the  author  are  due  Colonel  W.  W.  Stringfield  for 
the  matter  contained  in  the  chapter  on  "Haywood  County  in 
War,"  to  Capt.  W,  II.  Hargrove  for  much  valuable  information 
about  Pigeon  and  Beaverdam  townships,  and  to  many  others  who 
have  aided  by  their  sympathy  and  interest. 

With  the  hope  thai  the  book  may  find  its  way  into  the 
homes  of  the  people  of  the  county,  for  whom  it  is  written,  the 
publishers  now  send  it  forth  upon  its  mission. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


To  the  people  of  Haywood  County,  loyal  in  peace, 
patriotic  in  war,  industrious  and  law  abiding,  a  citizen- 
ship that  is  progressive  in  all  which  tends  to  build  up, 
conservative  in  all  which  would  modify  or  change  moral 
or  political  conditions,  this  work  is  dedicated. 


HISTORY   OF   HAYWOOD   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Situation  and  Topography. 


Situated  among  the  tallest  peaks  of  the  Balsam  mountains 
and  bordering  Tennessee  on  the  west,  Haywood  County  is  in 
one  of  the  fairest  and  most  beautiful  sections  of  North  Carolina. 
In  1808,  when  it  was  organized,  the  county  extended  from  the 
western  spurs  of  the  Blue  Ridge  on  the  east  to  the  crest  of  the 
Great  Smokies  on  the  west,  and  embraced  within  its  boundaries 
some  of  the  finest  stretches  of  mountain  lands  and  much  of  the 
most  beautiful  natural  scenery  to  be  found  east  of  the  Yellowstone 
National  Park  or  the  canons  of  the  far  famed  Colorado  Valley. 
Within  its  present  limits  are  some  of  the  loftiest  mountain  peaks  and 
many  of  the  most  beautiful  valleys  in  North  Carolina. 

Next  to  Mount  Mitchell  in  Yancey,  the  tallest  peaks  are  found 
in  Haywood.  Richland  Bald  and  the  Great  Divide  on  the  border  of 
Haywood  and  Jackson  Counties  are,  in  height,  just  a  little  below 
Mitchell's  peak.  Clingman's  Dome,  in  the  extrenje  western  corner 
of  the  county,  was  for  a  long  time  thought  to  be  higher  than 
Mitchell.  It  is,  however,  a  little  lower.  Plott  Balsam,  Jones'  Knob. 
Crabtree  Bald,  Lickstone  Bald,  and  dozens  of  others  that  could  be 
mentioned  rear  their  heads  into  the  clouds  and  stand  as  giants 
among  their  fellows. 

Lookout  Mountain  near  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  is  a  pygmy  in  com- 
parison with  Junaluska,  Pinnacle,  Beatty,  Rocky  Knob  and  fifty 
other  peaks  in  the  county  that  are  named   among  the  mountain* 


of  average  height.  Blount  Washington  in  New  Hampshire,  Long 
mentioned  in  the  geographies  as  the  tallest  peak  cast  of  the  Bookies, 
is  not  so  high  as  the  Greal  Divide  and  only  about  fifty  feet  higher 
than  Plotl  Balsam.  The  Catskills  and  the  Adirondack*,  of  New 
York,  though  somewhat  more  famous,  cannot  compare  in  height  with 
the  hundred  or  more  peaks  in  Haywood  County. 

In  mountain  scenery,  therefore,  it  will  be  Been  that  there  is 
no  lack  in  beauty  or  grandeur.  All  this  section  of  North  Carolina 
may  be  appropriately  called  the  Switzerland  of  America,  and  in  the 
not  distant  future  our  mountain  peaks  and  gorges  may  become  as 
famous  as  those  of  the  Alps,  or  the  Highlands  of  Scotland. 

Not  only  in  mountains  and  cliffs  is  Haywood  County  remarks bl 
Sonic  of  the  most  beautiful  valleys  to  be  found  in  America  are  within 
her  borders.     The  Pigeon   River,  as  it  winds  its  course  among  the 
verdant  hills  as  if  seeking  an  exit  from  its  pent  u\)  condition,  trav- 
erses  the   county   and   empties   into   the    French    Broad    near   the 

Tennessee  line.  It  forms  as  beautiful  a  valley  as  can  be  found  in 
North  Carolina.  Richland  ('reek,  with  its  rippling,  laughing  waters, 
runs  through  a  thickly  settled  portion  of  the  county  and  finds  it-; 
way  into  the  Pigeon  before  the  latter  loses  itself  in  the  Froneli 
Broad.  Jonathan's  Creek,  a  meandering  mountain  torrent,  rises 
among  the  peaks  and  winds  through  a  beautiful  valley  with  lofty 
mountains  on  either  side  and  widens  into  the  Pigeon  and  increases 
the  volume  of  the  latter.  Fines  Creek,  one  of  Haywood's  no-  ::  ' 
water  ways.  Hows  through  a  valley  remarkable  for  its  fertility  and 
beauty.  Upon  its  banks  abide  a  people  prosperous  and  contented. 
The  cast  ami  west  fork's  of  the  Pigeon  drain  a  section  floted  for  its 
rich  lands  and  thrifty  people,  as  well  as  for  its  beautiful  and  varied 
scenery.  Crabtree  and  Beaverdam  Creeks  How  through  picturesque 
valleys  in  two  of  the  well  known  and  most  populous  sections  of  the 
county. 

Besides  those  already  mentioned  other  smaller  water  ways 
beautify  portions  oi  the  county.  The  Raccoon,  Hemphill,  Allen. 
Panther  ami   others  of   less   note,   with    lovely    valleys,   sparkle   with 

limpid  waters  a>  they  hurry  toward  the  sea,  sometimes  leaping  and 
dashing  down  the  mountain  side,  in  cases  les  and  resplendent  water- 
falls and  again  eddying  and  rollicking  as  their  currents  sally  onward 
in  apparent  delight. 

In  these  mountain  siiv;i!.':>  there  is  an  abundance  of  trout,  which 
■•an  be  caught   by  the  angler  of  skill  and  experience.     For  these 
finny  inhabitants  many  disciples  of  rzaak  Walton  wade  tin-  sti 
with  rod  and   bait,  and  not  a  few  succeed   in   excelling  the   famous 


6. 


fisherman  in  their  catch.    In  sonic  of  the  streams  there  are  also  other 
kinds  of  fish  in  great  abundance. 

As  a  rule  one  does  not  expect  to  find  fertile  soil  among  the 
hills,  but  in  the  valleys  of  Haywood  County  and  even  on  the  moun- 
tains the  soil  is  rich  and  very  productive.  Crops  of  great  value  are 
annually  grown  and  the  "cattle  on  a  thousand  hills"  can  literally 
be  seen  in  Haywood. 


Falls  of  Richland 


CHAPTER  II. 


Early  Settlements. 


h,  the  Legislature  of  1808,  General  Love,  whose  borne  was  near 
where  the  "Brown"  house  now  stands  back  of  the  McAfee  Cottage 
m  Waynesville  and  who  was  that  year  representative  Erom  Bun- 
combe County  in  the  General  Assembly,  introduced  a  bill  baving 
for  its  purpose  to  organize  a  county  out  of  that  portion  of  Buncombe 
west  of  its  present  western  and  south-western  boundary  and  extend- 
ing to  the  Tennessee  Line,  including  all  the  territory  in  the  present 
counties  of  Haywood,  Macon,  Jackson,  Swain.  Graham,  Oaj  and 
Cherokee.    The  bill  met  witb  Eavor,  was  passed,  ratified  and  became 

a  law. 

The  bill  erecting  the  county  was  introduced  at  the  session 
beginning  November  21,  L808  and  ending  December  23,  same  year, 

and  reads  as  follows: 

"Whereas,  the  inhabitants  in  the  west  part  of  Buncombe  County 
are  very  inconvenienl  to  the  Court-house  in  said  county,  which 
renders 'the  attendance  of  jurors  and  witnesses  very  burthensome  and 
expensive,  and  almost  impossible  in  the  winter  season:    For  remedy 

wher< 

1.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  all  that  part  of  the  County  oi 
Buncombe,  to-wit:  beginning  where  Hie  Southern  boundary  line 
of  this  State  crosses  the  bighesl  pari  of  the  ridge  dividing  the 
the  French  Broad  from  those  of  the  Tucky  Siege  River, 
,!„.,,  along  the  said  rid--  to  the  ridge  dividing  tin-  waters  of 
Pigeon  and  the  French   Broad   River,  then  with  said  ridge  to  the 

i     Mount    Pisgah,    thence    a    direct,    line    to    the    mouth    of    the 

iir'st  branch  emptying  into  Hominy  Creek  on  the  north  side  above 
Belieu's,  thence  with    said    branch  to  the  Bource  and  thence 

.,!,„,.  ^e  top  of  the  ridge,  dividing  the  waters  of  French   Broad 
nn(|    those   of   Pigeon    Kiver,   to    the    northern    boundary    of   this 

State,  and  wiih  the  stale  Ime  t.,  the  line  which  shall  divide  this 
state  from  the  Slate  of  Georgia,  and  with  that  line  to  the  beginning 


shall  be  and  is  hereby  erected  into  a  separate  and  distinct  county, 
by  the  name  of  Haywood,  in  honor  of  the  present  treasurer  of  the 
Stat*. 

2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  justices  of  the  peace 
being  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  county  of  Haywood,  shall 
exercise  the  same  authority  as  they  have  heretofore  done  in  the 
County  of  Buncombe;  and  the  justices  heretofore  to  be  appointed  in 
the  usual  manner,  and  when  qualified  agreeable  to  law,  shall  hold 
ar.d  exercise  all  the  power  and  authority,  and  be  subject  to  the  same 
penalties  that  justices  of  the  peace  of  the  several  counties  in  this 
Scate  are  subject  to,  or  have  a  right  to  enjoy. 

3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  John  Stephenson.  John 
Montgomery,  William  Deaver,  John  Dobson,  Hugh  Davidson,  Holly- 
man  Battle  and  John  Bryson  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  com- 
missioners for  fixing  on  a  proper  and  convenient  place  at  or  near 
the  centre  of  said  county,  whereon  to  erect  the  public  buildings; 
the  duties  of  which  appointment  they,  or  a  majority  of  them,  are 
requested  to  execute  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  passing  of  this  act ; 
but  until  a  court-house  shall  be  erected,  or  some  convenient  place 
fixed  on  by  the  commissioners  aforesaid,  the  court  of  pleas  and 
quarter  sessions  for  the  said  county  of  Haywood  shall  be  held  at 
Mount  Prospect. 

4.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  Felix  "Walker,  John  Me- 
Farland.  and  Thomas  Lenoir  be.  and  they  are  hereby  appointed, 
commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  the  public  buildings  for 
the  said  county  of  Haywood,  at  such  place  as  may  be  fixed  en  for 
that  purpose ;  and  they,  or  a  majority  of  them,  after  giving  bend 
with  approved  security  to  the  court  of  said  county  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  the  duties  required  of  them  by  this  act  shall  have 
full  power  and  authority  to  sue  for  and  recover  all  moneys  that 
may  or  ought  to  be  collected  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the 
expenses  of  the  public  buildings  aforesaid,  and  to  compel  the  per- 
formance of  any  contract  that  may  be  entered  into  respecting  the 
same,  and  in  order  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  public  buildings 
intended  to  be  made  by  virtue  of  this  act. 

5.  Be  it  enacted,  That  a  tax  of  three  shillings  on  every  poll, 
and  a  tax.  of  one  shilling  on  every  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the 
saiel  county  of  Haywood,  shall  be  levied  and  collected  for  the 
year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  anel  nine,  by  the  sheriff  or  collector 
of  public  taxes;  and  the  same  shall  be  accounted  for  to  the  said 
commissioners  herein  last  mentioned,  or  a  majority  of  them,  under 
the  same  restrictions  and  regulations  as  sheriffs  are  subject  to  in 


eolleetin*  public  taxes.     Provided,  that   nothing  herein  contained 

shall  be  construed  to  prevent  the  sheriff  of  th >u..ty  of  Buncombe 

,■,,,„,  collecting  all  arrears  of  taxes  or  moneys  which  he  ought  to 
colled   in  the  same  manner  as  if  tins  acl  had  never  been  passed. 

6  \nd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  justices  ot  the  Raid 
,uuntv  ftf  Haywood  shall  hold  the  court  of  pleas  and  quarter-sessions 
f,„-  said  county  at  the  place  aforesaid,  and  therein  shall  exercise 
,11  the  powers  ami  authorities  that  are  usual  and  customary,  and 
ahall  appoint  all  their  accessary  officers  for  the  same  as  required 
by  law  in  th,  same  manner  as  is  exercised  by  the  justices  of  the 
Beveral  counties  within  this  State,  any  law  to  th,  contrary  notwith- 

standing.  g        .      _.      .     .  .  M 

T  \ml  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Superior  (  our}  oi  law 
and  eour1  of  equity  of  Buncombe  county,  shall  have  jurisdiction 
and  cognizanee  in  and  over  the  said  county  of  Haywood,  in  as  full 
and  Rmple  a  manEer  as  the  said  eourts  have  in  and  over  the  said 
C0Untv  of  Buncombe;  and  in  all  causes,  both  civil  and  criminal,  is 
the  said  county  of  Haywood,  may  be  tried  in  th,  said  courts,  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  th,  same  eauses  had  arisen  in  the  .-unity  of 
Buncombe;  and  offenders  may  he  recognized  or  committed  to  the 
jai]  of  Buncombe  county,  in  the  same  man. .or  as  if  the  offences  had 
been  committed  ...  the  county  of  Buncombe;  and  all  appeals  from 
the  Superior  Court  of  Buncombe,  under  the  same  rules  which  govern 
other  counties;  and  th,  said  county  of  Haywood  shall 
send  twelve  .jurors  to  th,  Superior  Court  of  Buncombe,  to  be  eh  -  -n 


Road  to  Eagles  NTest 


10. 

in  the  same  manner  and  under  the  same  rules  as  jurors  are  chosen 
in  the  several  counties  in  this  State  to  attend  the  Superior  Courts, 
and  the  county  of  Buncombe  shall  choose  eighteen  jurors  instead  of 
thirty  as  heretofore." 

This  act  was  ratified  on  the  23rd  of  December,  1808,  and  Hay- 
wood became  a  county  in  the  closing  days  of  that  year  and  has 
proved  herself  to  be  a  Christmas  gift  of  real  merit  to  the  State  of 

North  Carolina.  

Previous  to  that  time,  however,  Haywood  County  had  a  history 
but  no  name.  Bold  pioneers  and  Indian  fighters  from  beyond 
the  Blue  Ridge  had  penetrated  the  fastnesses  of  the  Balsams  and 
made  settlements  on  the  Pigeon  River,  Hemphill  and  Jonathan's 
Creek.  It  is  not  known  how  early  those  settlements  were  made. 
In  the  office  of  the  Register  of  Deeds  of  Burke  County,  which  county 
included  the  territory  of  Haywood  before  Buncombe  was  organized 
are  to  be  seen  copies  of  grants  of  land  to  settlers  on  the  above  named 
stfeams  of  water  dated  soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war.  Perhaps 
!!he  first  effort  at  home  building  in  the  present  limits  of  Haywood 
was  made  by  David  Nelson,  who,  as  a  bound  boy,  to  Jonathan 
McPeters  for  whom  Jonathan's  Creek  was  named  came  from  Burke 
County  with  his  master  about  the  spring  of  1785  and  planted  and 
raised  a  crop  of  corn  at  the  "gardens"  on  Pigeon  River  near  where 
Canton  now  stands.  It  is  doubtful  as  to  whether  the  crop  was 
successful,  for  McPeters  returned  to  Burke  County  that  year  and 
never  came  back.  David  Nelson,  however,  when  he  became  of 
age.  married  and  returned  to  this  section  and  built  a  home  on 
Jonathan's  Creek  at  a  point  just  below  the  mouth  of  the  creek  now 
known  as  Hemphill. 

In  the  office  of  the  Register  of  Deeds  of  Buncombe  Count  j 
found  eopies  «»!'  grants  dating  back  some  years  before  1791,  the  date 
of  the  formation  of  that  county.  There  is  one  of  special  interest 
which  conveys  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres  from  the  custody 
of  the  State  to  Thomas  Hemphill  and  James  McDowell.  This  tract 
was  on  the  creeks  since  named  Jonathan  and  Hemphill,  the  former 
in  honor  of  Jonathan  McPeters  and  the  latter  of  Thomas  Hemphill. 
This  land  was  bought,  at  the  time,  for  less  than  fifty  cents  an  acre. 

Other  grants  had  been  made,  previous  to  the  one  just  mentioned, 
to  John  and  Charles  McDowell,  and  bear  the  signature  of  Governor 
Alexander  Martin,  dated  at  Newbern  which  was  then  the  capital 
)f  the  State.  These  grants  were  recorded  first  in  Burke  County, 
'ater  in  Buncombe,  and  still  later  in  Haywood.     From  the  records 


1 1 


seems  i"  be  do  d 
been   planted   on 


ulit  thai  quite 
Jonathan   and 


of  in 
Bock 


ite  was  to  Lewis  Smith  in 
y  Ridge  on  Richland  < !reek. 


and  other  evidence  al  hand,  there 
a  colon}  of  thrift;  Bettlera  had 
Hemphill  ( Ireeks  as  early  afi  1790. 

Another  granl  thai  is  wrorthy 
1 792  and  was  Located  al  i  be  point  of 
Colonel  Roberl  Love,  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution  and  formerly  of 
Virginia,  obtained  Beveral  grants,  one  particularly  thai  is  mentioned 
at  the  mouth  of  Richland  Creek,  and  occupied  them  aboul  the  same 
time. 

Two  men  of  considerable  means,  Joseph  Dobson  and  John 
Strother  of  Burke  County,  secured  many  grants  on  Richland  Creek 

aboul  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  and  Later  r nveyed 

most  of  it  to  Bettlera  who  began  now  to  come  in  considerable 
numbers.  Marl  in  Buff  was  already  Living  on  Richland  at  the  time  of 
the  date  of  these  grants.  Gabriel  Ragsdale  and  Joseph  Henry 
obtained  grants  as  early  as  1796  and  located  on  the  east  fork  of 
Raccoon  and  Richland  Creeks.  A  little  later,  in  1803,  Jonathan 
Osborne  and  John  Howell  made  entries  of  several  tracts  on  Richland 
Creek  and  Pigeon  River.     In  1808  John  and  James  Welch  obtained 

farms  on  Allen's  Creek,  as  did  Adam  Killian.  Thomas  St.  Clair,  and 
William  Bryan.  William  RleConnell  had  secured  grants  yeara 
before  on  the  wesl  fori;  of  Richland  and  was  Living  upon  them. 

Among  the  first  settlers  on  Pigeon  River  were  John  Davidson 
and  James  Chambers,  who  secured  large  '-'-rants  from  the  State,  some 
years  RrvoIuI  ion.     James    Chambers    was 


A  Mountain  Read 


12. 

living  upon  his  grant  previous  to  1790,  for  according  to  the  best 
information  obtainable  he  died  during  the  year.  David  Allison  also 
purchased  lands  on  Pigeon  River  in  1796,  as  did  Robert  Martin  in 
1798.  John  Gouch  bought  large  tracts  in  the  same  locality  before 
the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century.  These  settlements  were 
near  where  Canton  now  stands.  John  Penland,  Jacob  Shook, 
Spencer  Rice  and  David  Mehaffey  c-ame  from  Burke  and  settled  on 
Pigeon  near  where  Clyde  now  stands.  Nathaniel  Alman  also  owned 
considerable  tracts  in  the  same  neighborhood.  John  Penland 's 
farm  was  located  on  "Crystal"  Creek  which  flows  into  the  Pigeon. 
An  important  settlement  was  made  in  Dutch  Cove  on  Pigeon 
River  above  Beaverdam  Creek  in  1796  by  Christian  Sergeant  Messer, 
father  of  "fred"  Messer,  who  died  in  1907  at  the  ripe  age  of  117 
years.  The  boy  ''Fed"  was  five  years  old  at  the  time  his  father 
moved  from  Burke  County  to  Dutch  Cove  and  remembered  passing 
through  Asheville  in  1796  and  being  bitten  by  a  dog  there.  It  is 
probable  that  some  people  were  living  in  that  localtiy  before  Mr. 
^lesser  came. 

Higher  up  the  river,  on  the  East  and  West  fork,  settlements  were 
made  some  years  later  than  those  lower  down.  Among  those  who 
first  bought  land  on  East  Fork  the  names  of  John  McFarland, 
William  Cathey,  and  Elijah  Deaver,  who  moved  there  previous  to 
1808,  are  found.  On  West  Fork  a  considerable  population  had 
already  become  established  before  1808.  Robert  Reed  and  John 
Penland  made  entries  of  land  about  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 
century.  Other  settlers  moved  in  and  soon  the  Bethel  section  became 
one  of  the  most  populous  and  progressive  in  the  county. 

On  Crabtree  and  Fines  Creek  flourishing  settlements  were  made 
'before  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Among  the 
earliest  settlers  there  were  David  McDowell,  David  Seroggs,  G ■-■  rge 
Jrawford.  Colvay  Jackson,  and  Joseph  MeCracken.  These  men 
-  .-cured  important  grants  on  Crabtree  Creek  and  built  upon  .them 
everal  years  before  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  That  part 
of  the  county  thus  being  opened  up  attracted  families  from  beyond 
the  mountains,  and  soon  Crabtree  became  noted  for  its  thrift  and 
populousness. 

About  the  time  of  the  settlements  on  Crabtree  some  bold  hunt  sra 
/voiii  what  is  now  Caldwell  County  pushed  across  the  mountains 
r.nd  shot  deer,  bears,  and  turkeys  and  fought  the  Indians  on  Panther 
end  Twelve  Mile  Creek.  There  also  they  established  temporary 
homes  and  went  back  for  their  families.  Among  these  men  the 
rames  ol    David    Uussell,  Hughey   Rogers,  and  John   Kay  appear 


}A. 


Russell  Becurcd  Large  grants  on  Twelve  Mile  Creek  in  l7!tti.  Rogers 
also  opened  ap  Large  boundaries  in  the  same  Locality  abort  the 
same  time.  John  Penland,  who  had  bought  Lands  on  Pigeon  a  few 
years  before,  also  obtained  grants  on  Twelve  Mile  Creek.  John 
Ray,  «  \ (.-I!- <  r  •  wo  before  the  settlements  on  ih;ii  creek,  runic  from 
Wilkes  ( '.unity  and  oceupied  a  Large  granl  on  Panther  Creek.    These 

four    men.    ;it    one    time,    owned    most    of    the    Land    QOW    included    iii 

Fines  Creek  township.     Twelve  Mile  Creek   is  the  one  now  calleJ 

Fines  Creel-;. 


Falls  of  Pigeon 


CHAPTER  III. 


Location  of  the  County  Seat. 


Early  in  the  nineteenth  century  the  various  settlements  meL. 
tijned  in  th.;  preceding  cJiapter  began  to  assume  considerable  im- 
portance. The  settlers  began  to  build  homes  with  the  idea  of  a 
permanent  occupancy,  and  the  hastily  constructed  hunter's  head- 
quarters began  to  take  on  the  air  of  a  homestead.  Immigrants  from 
Burke.  Lincoln,  Rutherford,  Rimeombf  ;-. id  other  counties  beyond 
the  mountains  and  even  from  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  began 
to  move  in  on  account  of  the  exceeding  health  fulness  of  the  climate 
and  the  amazing  beauty  of  the  scenery.  Soon  thriving  communities 
had  sprung  up  on  lower  Pigeon,  upper  Pigeon,  Crabtree,  and  Fines 
Creek,  and  upper  and  lower  Jonathan. 

On  Richland  Creek,  about  the  year  1800,  the  neucleus  of  n 
village  had  been  formed  on  the  beautiful  ridge  between  its  limpid 
waters  and  those  of  Raccoon  Creek.  The  ridge  is  less  than  a  mile 
wide  and  attracted  settlers  on  account  of  the  picturesque  mountains 
on  either  side  and  the  delightfulness  of  the  climate.  At  that  early 
time  a  considerable  population  was  already  there.  Several  men,  who 
were  well  known  in  the  State  and  who  afterwards  became  prominent 
in  public  affairs,  had  built  homes  upon  that  nature  favored  spot 
and  were  living  there.  Such  men  as  General  Thomas  Love,  Colonel 
Robort  Love,  Colonel  William  Allen,  .John  Welch,  and  others 
of  Revolutionary  fame  were  leaders  in  that  community.  Without 
changing  his  residence  General  Thomas  Love  was  a  member  of 
the  State  Legislature,  with  two  or  three  years  intermission,  from  1707 
to  1828,  for  nine  years  as  a  member  from  Buncombe  County  and 
tli"  remainder  of  the  time  from  Haywood.  Most  of  the  time  he  wa- 
in the  house  of  Commons  but  for  six  years  he  was  also  in  tt 
Senate.     Colonel  Robert   Love   served   three   years   in   the   Senat 


from  Buncombe  County,  from  1793  t<>  1795.  William  Allen  and 
.John  \\'clr!i  were  veterans  of  the  Revolution  and  men  of  consider- 
able influence  in  that  community. 

For  Beveral  years  previous  to  1808  the  question  of  ;t  new 
county  had  been  agitated,  particularly  by  those  who  had  to  travel 
through  'i'l  winter  snows  to  Asheville  to  attend  court.  Nothing 
I*,  came  oi  these  agitations  until  in  thai  year  a  memorial 
from  li«'  inhabitants  of  the  western  district  of  Buncombe  to  the 
Legislature  resulted  in  the  passage  of  the  bill  establishing  the  new 
county  nf  Haywood  with  the  limits  and  boundaries  designated 
in  the  measure. 

As  .-.!••  udy  state  l.  that  law  was  ratified  on  D imber  23,  1808,  bu1 

it  did  ool  become  operative  uniil  early  in  the  year  1809.  On  the 
fourth  jJonday  in  March  of  thai  year  the  justices  of  the  peace  in 
the  lerritorj  defined  by  the  ad  erecting  the  county  me1  al  Mount 
Prospect  in  the  first  court  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions  ever  held 
in  :h,  limits  of  Haywood  County.  The  following  justices  were  pres- 
ent al  that  meeting:  Thomas  Love,  John  Fergus,  John  Dobson, 
Robert  Phillips,  Abraham  Eaton,  Hugh  Davidson.  Hollim'an  Battle, 
.1  ,|,,i  McFarland,  Phillip  T.  Burfobt,  William  Deayer,  Archibald 
McHenry,  and  Benjamin  Odell. 

Thtso  men  had  the  formation  of  the  county  lipon  t  h « ■  i  r  hands. 
They  Lad  m'el  at  .Mount  Prosped  in  obedience  to  the  law.  but  there 
,,N  i„,  court-house  aqr  any  machinery  of  a  county  government. 
They  had  to  build  an  organization  out  of  apparent  Champs.  With  the 
same  determination  that  they  had  used  in  felling  tin-  forests  and 
in  fighting  the  Indians  these  hardy  and  intelligent  frontiersmen  Bet 
about  their  task. 

One  of  the  first  things  the  court  thus  constituted  did  was  to 
elect  officers  for  the  new  county.  There  were  several  candidates 
tor  the  different  positions,  but  after  several  ballots  were  taken  the 
following  were  declared  duly  elected:  Clerk  of  the  Court.  Robert 
Love;  Sheriff,  William  Allen:  Register  of  Deeds,  Phillip  T.  Burfootj 
Constable  of  the  County,  Samuel  Hollingsworth';  Entry  Taker. 
Thomas  St.  Clair;  Treasurer.  Robert  Phillips:  Stray  Master.  Adam 
Killian;  Comptroller.  Abraham  Eaton;  Coroner.  Nathan  Thompson; 
Solicitor.  Archibald  Ruffin;  Standard  Keeper,  David  McFarland. 

Thus  offieered  the  county  of  Eaywood  began   its  eareer.     The 

officers  entered  ,-it  one,-  ii|hhi  their  respective  duties,  and  tin iinty 

became  ;i  reality.    The  first  entry  in  the  register's  booh  bears  date 
of  March  29th,  1809,  Bigned  by  Philip  T.  Burfoot,  and  the  first  in 

the  Clerk's  book  is  the  same  date  hv  Robert   Love. 


r. 


17 

Until  the  courl  house  and  jail  could  be  buill  the  county  officials 
me1  at  private  residences  .-it  Mount  Prospecl  and  prisoners  were 
carried  i,.  jail  in  Asheville.  Such  proceedings  were  inconvenienl 
and  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature,  therefore,  made 
baste  to  locate  and  ereel  the  public  buildings.  It  was  expected  thai 
they  would  be  ready  to  make  their  reporl  to  the  courl  of  pleas  and 
quarter  sessions  as  to  the  Location  of  the  county  seat  at  the  March 
cession,  Lnstead,  however,  they  a  l<  I  al  thai  Bession  to  be  in- 
dulged until  the  June  term,  and  thai  requesl  was  granted. 

«>n  Monday,  June  l'mIi.  1809  the  couii  me1  a1  the  home  of  John. 
Howell.  The  old  record  names  the  following  justices  as  being 
present:  Thomas  Love,  Philip  Burfoot,  Hugh  Davidson,  John  Mc- 
K.-nland.  Abraham  Eaton.  John  Dobson,  William  Deaver,  Archibald 
McHenry,  and  John  Fergus.  At  this  meeting  the  commissioners, 
named  in  tin  rc1  of  the  Legislature  erecting  the  county,  made  their 
report,  in  which  they  declared  that  it  was  unanimously  agreed  t<» 
Locate  the  public  buildings  &oniev*  here  on  the  ridge  I. .'tween  Richland 
and  Kaqcoon  Creeks  at  or  near  the  poinl  then  called  Mount  Prospect. 
As  the  c  ►mmissioners  were  clothed  with  lull  power  it.  acl  it  required 
tic  v..te  of  the  justices,  bul  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  report 
was  cheerfully  endorsed  by  a  majority  of  the  justices  present. 

At  this  June  term  of  the  Court,  the  first  for  the  trial  of  causes, 
ihe  following  composed  the  grand  jury:  John  Welch,  foreman, 
William  Welch.  John  Fullbright,  John  Robinson,  Edward  Sharteer, 
Isaac  Wilkins,  Elijah  Beaver,  David  McFarland,  William  Burns, 
.Joseph  Chambers,  Thomas  St.  Clair,  John  Shook.  William  Cathey 
Jacob  Shook,  ami  John  St.  Clair,  John  Shook,  William  Cathey 
the  following  grand  juror-;  for  the  next  term  of  the  Superior  Court 
that  was  to  he  held  in  Asheville  in  September:  Eolliman  Battle, 
Hugh  Davidson,  Abraham  Eaton,  Thomas  Lenoir,  William  Deaver. 
John  McFarland,  John  McClure,  Felix  Walker,  Jacob  .McFarland, 
Roberl   Love.  Edward   Hyatt,  and  Daniel  Fleming.     This  was  done 

because  of  the  fact  that   no  Superior  Court  was  held  in  Ilayu 1  for 

SC-Vi-ral  years  after  the  formation  of  the  county; 'hut  all  cases  that 
were  appealed  from  the  court  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions  came 
up  by  law  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Buncombe  County  at  Asheville. 
For  this  court  Haywood  County  was  hound  by  law  to  send  to 
AfJieville  sis   grand  jurors  and  as  many   more  as  desired. 

At  the  June  term  inspectors  of  election,  thai  was  to  take  place 
in  August,  were  also  selected.  There  were  then  two  voting  precincts, 
ami  this  election  was  the  first  ever  held  in  the  county.  For  the 
precinct  of  .Mount   Prospect  the  following  inspectors  were  appointed 


Tomb  of  Col.  Love 


Ill 


George  Cathey,  William  Deaver,  John  Fergus,  and  Elugfa  Davidson. 
For  the  precinct  of  Saco  Benjamin  Parks,  Roberl  Reed,  and  Robert 
Turner  were  appointed. 

In  the  Location  of  the  public  buildings  .-it  Mounl  Prospect  there 
was  Laid  ilif  foundation  of  the  presenl  Little  city  of  Waynesville. 
Tradition  says  and  truthfully,  no  doubt,  bhal  the  name  was  sug 
gested  by  Colonel  Roberl  Love  in  honor  of  General  Anthony  Wayne, 
under  whom  Colonel  Love  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
name  suited  the  community  and  people,  and  the  village  soon  came 
to  be  known  by  it.  In  the  record  of  the  court  of  pleas  and  quarter 
sessions  the  name  of  Waynesville  occurs  first  in  1811. 

Some  unexpected  eoii.liiK.n  prevented  the  immediate  erection  of 
the  public  buildings.  The  plans  were  all  Laid  in  1809,  bul  sufficient 
money  from  taxation  as  provided  for  in  the  acl  establishing  the 
county  had  not  been  secured  by  the  c\\^\  of  thai  year.  It  was.  there- 
lore,  late  iii  the  year  181  l  before  siit'lieieiit  funds  were  in  hand  to  be- 
gin the  erection  of  the  courthouse.  During  the  year  l>li!  the  work 
began  and  was  completed  by  the  end  of  the  year.  .Mark  Column  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  man  to  dig  up  a  stump  in  Laying  the 
foundation  for  that    building.     On    December  21st.    lsp_>.  the   first 

court    was   held    in    this    first    court    house. 


David  W.  Shook,  Sr. 


ciiaitki;  iv 


Haywood  County  Indians. 


Long  before  white  people  had  eome  into  the  mountain  country 
all  the  land  now  included  in  Haywood  County  was  occupied  by 
the  warlike  Cherokees.  As  the  western  frontier  of  civilization,  how- 
ever, approached  the  Indian  territory,  the  simple  Datives  of  the 
hills  retired  farther  and  farther  into  the  fastnesses  of  the  mountains. 
While  tli*-  Regulators  were  resisting  Tryon  .-it  Alamance  and  the 
patriots  under  Caswell  and  Moore  were  bayonetting  the  Tories  a1 
Moore's  Creek  Bridge,  the  Cherokees  of  whal  is  now  Haywood 
County  were  smoking  their  pipes  in  peace  under  the  shadows  « > t" 
old  Bald  or  hunting  along  the  banks  of  the  murmuring  Pigeon  and 
its  tributaries. 

When,  however,  the  tide  of  western  immigration  overflowed  the 
French  Broad  and  began  to  reach  the  fool  hills  of  the  Balsams  the 
Cherokees,  ever  friendly  as  a  rule  to  the  white  'Man.  gave  up  their 
lands  and  removed  to  the  banks  of  the  Tuckascigee,  ihus  surrend  ir- 
ing  to  their  white  brothers  all  the  land  eastward  of  a  line  running 
uorth  and  south  between  the  presenl  town  of  Waynesville  and  the 
Balsam  range  of  mountains.  Throughout  the  period  of  the  early 
settlement  of  Haywood  County  and  until  the  presenl  the  most 
friendly  relations  have  existed  between  the  white  people  and  the 
( Iherokees. 

Only  one  incident  is  given  by  tradition  which  shows  that  any 
hostile  feeling  existed  at  any  time.  It  is  related  thai  a  few  Indians 
from  their  settlemenl  on  tin1  Tuckaseigee,  before  the  close  of  the 
eighteenth   century,  went    aero  -  the  Smoky    mountains   into  Ten- 

and  Btole  several   horses  from  the  tl e.     A    posse 

of  while  men  followed  the  redskins,  who  c  -  the  Pigeon  on 

their   way    home   encamped    for   the   nighl    on    Richland    near   the 


present  site  of  the  Hardwood  faetory  in  Waynesville.  While  en- 
camped for  the  night,  their  white  pnrsnrers  came  up,  fired  into 
them,  recaptured  the  horses,  and  began  their  journey  back  to  Ten- 
nessee. The  Indians,  taken  by  surprise,  scattered,  but  soon  re- 
covered themselves  and  went  in  pursuit  of  the  white  men.  At 
Twelve  Mile  Creek  they  came  upon  the  whites  encamped  for  the 
night.  Indian  fashion  they  made  an  attack,  and  in  the  fight 
which  ensued  one  white  man  by  the  name  of  Fine  was  killed.  The  , 
Indians,  however,  were  driven  off.  Before  leaving  their  camp  next 
morning  the  white  men  took  the  body  of  their  dead  comrade,  broke 
a  hole  in  the  ice  which  covered  the  creek,  and  put  him  in  the  ice  cold 
water  to  remain  until  they  could  return  for  the  body.  A  big  snow 
was  on  the  ground  at  the  time,  and  it  was  bitter  cold.  From  this 
story  Twelve  Mile  Creek  came  to  be  called  Fines  Creek. 

When  the  war  of  1812  broke  out  the  British  made  a  big  effort 
to  enlist  all  the  Indians  in  the  United  States  in  their  service.  The 
powerful  tribes  in  the  Northwest  and  the  South  readily  joined 
the  British  and  began  a  war  of  extermination  upon  the  frontier 
settlements.  Much  apprehension  was  felt  in  this  State  lest  the 
Cherokees  should,  by  the  promise  of  British  gold,  take  up  the 
scalping  knife  and  set  out  upon  the  warpath.  By  prudence  and 
tact  shown  by  the  leading  men  of  Haywood  County  at  that  time 
such  a  calamity  was  averted. 

At  one  time,  however,  there  were  grave  fears  lest  the  savage 
spirit  of  the  Cherokees  would  be  aroused  and  dire  disaster  follow. 
Tecumseh.  the  great  chief  of  the  Shawnees  of  the  middle  west 
p\a  head  of  a  great  confederation  of  Indian  nations  extending  from 
the  great  lakes  to  the  gulf,  came  to  Haywood  County  in  1812 
.11..)  endeavored  to  get  the  Cherokees  to  join  his  confederation  and 
make  war  upon  the  whites 

From  a  story  written  concerning  those  times  the  following 
extract  is  taken  (the  story  is  not  now  in  print)  : 

It  was  one  day  in  the  summer  of  1812  that  the  heralds  of 
Tecumseh  came  to  Cherok<  e  in  the  mountains  of  western  North 
Carolina.  They  announced  that  the  great  Tecumseh  was  coming  to 
speak  to  his  brethren  of  the  Balsams. 

"Chiefs  of  the  Cherokees."  said  they,  "the  Shooting  Star  of  the 
west  will  he  here  in  two  days,  and  lie  desires  ;ill  good  Indians  to 
meel  him  a1  the  Soco  Gap."  The  Indians  called  Tecumseh  "Sho.it- 
ing  Star." 

Then  there  was  hurrying  to  and  fro  to  give  Tecumseh  a  wel- 
come.   They  were  not  quite  sure  what  he  was  coming  for,  but  they 


wanted  to  hear  uh.it   he  mighl   Bay.     Aboul   one  thousand  of  the 

chiefs  and  great  warriors  t  al  the  appointed  place  and  time  and 

seated  themselves  on  the  green  sward.     As  Tecumseh  came  among 
tht'iii  he  bowed  low  to  them  and  they  to  him.    One  chief  Bpoke. 

"Shooting  Star,"  said  h < •.  "You  are  known  to  us.  We  have 
often  heard  of  you.  We  are  glad  thai  you  have  come  to  visil  us. 
We  have  heard  of  whal  you  have  done  in  the  far  wesl  and  wanl 
you  to  tell  us  more. " 

"My  brother  Cherokees,"  began  Tecumseh,  "I  have'  long 
wanted  to  see  your  Faces.  ¥ou  are  of  the  same  blood  as  the  Shawnecs, 
my  people,  who  live  toward  the  big  sea  water.  I  am  glad  to  Bee 
j  <  >  1 1 . " 

"You  know,"  he  wenl  on,  "thai  the  Indian  race  was  intended 
by  the  Greal  Spirit  to  be  the  masters  of  the  world.  The  master  <>. 
life  himself  was  an  Indian.  He  made  the  Indian  before  any  others 
of  thie  human  race.  Indians  sprang  from  the  brain  of  the  Greal 
Spirit.  The  English  and  the  French  were  made  from  the  breast, 
the  Dutch  from  the  feet,  and  the  Long  Knives  (the  Americans] 
from. the  hands,  of  the  Greal  Spirit.  All  these  inferior  races  he 
made  white  and  put  beyond  the  greal  ocean.  He  intended  for 
th.ni  to  si.i\  there,  bu1  they  have  cine  in  greal  crowds  to  take  out- 
laid! from  us." 

"Behold,"  continued  he.  ••What  they  did  to  the  Pequots,  the 
Narragansetts,  the  Powhatans,  the  Tuscaroras,  and  the  Corees.  Thej 
have  put  the  sand  upon  them  and  they  are  no  more.  White  nieii 
have  biiill  their  castles  where  the  Indian  hunting  grounds  once  wer  ■. 
and  now  they  are  coming  into  your  mountain  glens.  Soon  there  will 
!•  •  no  place  f<  i*  thr  In<1  ana  to  hunt  the  deer.  Cherokees,  children  of 
the  Greal  Spirit,  do  you  not  sec  thai  it  is  time  for  you  to  draw  the 
tomahavt  k 

In  response  to  this  direel  question  many  chiefs  and  heaves 
shouted,  "yes,"  bul  the  larger  number  remained  silent.  Then  one 
of  the  younger  chiefs  arose  and  said  thai  the  words  of  Tecumseh 
were  the  words  of  truth,  and  he  was  ready  to  follow  his  lead. 
Several  others  did  likewise,  hut  the  older  ones  continued  to  smoke 
their  pipes.  At  length  Junaluska,  one  of  the  bravesl  among  them. 
spoke  againsl  beginning  a  war  upon  the  white  people. 

"It  has  been  many  years,"  said  he.  '"since  the  Cherokees  have 
drawn  the  tomahawk.  Our  I. raves  have  forgotten  how  to  use  the 
Bcalping  knife.  We  have  learned  that  it  is  better  not  to  Lro  to 
war  againsl  our  white  brothers.  They  are  as  numerous  as  the  leaves 
in  the  forest.    We  have  been  living  near  them  for  many  vears.    Thes 


24 


are  friendly  and  do  not  molest   the   land  of  the  Indians.     I  shall 
never  raise  my  arm  against  them." 

Immediately  several  other  chiefs  expressed  the  same  sentiments. 
and  soon  it  was  seen  that  an  overwhelming  majority  were  with  the 
white  men.  Teeumseh  had  to  return  to  his  country  without  success 
among  the  Cherokees. 

In  the  v/ar  with  England  that  followed  the  Indians  of  Haywood 
County  remained  faithful  to  the  United  States  government.  Many 
of  them  enlisted  in  the  United  States  army  under  General  Andrew 
Jackson  and  fought  against  the  Creek  Indians  of  Alabama  and  Ten- 
nessee. Junaluska  was  one  of  these.  He  with  a  hand  of  faithful 
Cherokees  assisted  Jackson  in  the  great  hattle  of  Horse  Shoe  bend 
and  succeeded  in  turning  the  tide  of  battle  in  favor  of  the  whites. 
For  that  act  Junaluska  was  rewarded  by  the  government  and 
highly  praised  by  General  Jackson.  He  has  also  a  noble  mountain 
not  far  from  Waynesville  named  in  his  honor. 

In  1835  an  effort  was  made  by  the  United  States  government  to 
remove  the  Cherokees  to  the  Indian  territory.  An  army  was  sent 
into  the  mountains  of  Haywood  County  to  persuade  or  force  the  red- 
skins to  remove  to  their  new  home  that  had  been  provided  for  them 
beyond  the  Mississippi  river.  General  Winfield  Scott,  afterward 
distinguished  in  the  Mexican  Avar,  was  in  command  of  the  army  and 
was  charged  with  the  duty  of  transplanting  the  Indian  bands.  He 
was  very  successful  in  persuading  the  Indians  of  Northern  Georgia 
and  Eastern  Tennessee  to  consent  to  go  to  the  new  territory  allotted 
to  them. 

As  soon,  however,  as  he  came  into  Haywood  County  he  struck 
a  different  proposition.  The  Indians  would  not  listen  to  the  sugges- 
ts'1 of  their  removal.  They  loved  their  native  hills  and  would 
not  give  them  up.  They,  therefore,  flatly  refused  to  be  transported. 
General  Scott  then  ordered  a  removal  by  force ;  but  the  Indians  hid 
in  the  mountain  glens  and  caves.  The  soldiers  could  not  find  them 
and  the  undertaking  was  greatly  delayed.  Finally  General  Scott 
gave  up  the  attempt  and  recommended  to  the  government  that  a 
reservation  for  the  Cherokees  be  secured  in  the  mountains  of 
western  Northern  Carolina  and  the  tribe  he  allowed  to  dwell  there. 
This  recommendation  was  acted  upon  and  a  reservation  of  many 
thousand  acres  of  land  was  purchased  in  the  western  part  of  Hay- 
wood County,  and  the  Eastern  Hand  of  the  Cherokees  were  settled 
upon  it,  and  are  now  living  there.  Since  this  reservation  was  formed 
other  counties  have  been  erected  ou1  of  the  westernmost  territory  of 


lr     CO 


•Ji 


itiea  of 


Haywood,  and  no*   this  reservation  is  included  in  tl 
Jackson   Swain,  and  Graham. 

hl  the  Civil  War  of  1861-65  the  Cherokees  were  loyal  to  the 
Confederacy.  Hundreds  of  them  joined  the  Confederate  army  and 
did  valianl  service  for  the  Southland.  Prom  the  entire  band  only 
ten  or  twelve,  allured  bj  Yankee  gold,  joined  the  Federal  army,  and 
those  few,  upon  their  return  to  the  reservation,  after  the  war  closed 
were  regarded  as  traitors  to  the  "Nation."  t\  is  said  thai  as  trait- 
ors they  were  slam  as  a  warning  to  others. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Haywood  County  in  War. 


Haywood  County's  citizenship  has  always  been  at  the  front  in 
times  of  war.  From  the  best  information  obtainable  it  is  quite 
certain  that  most  of  the  earliest  settlers  had  been  in  the  continental 
army  and  fought  through  the  entire  war  of  Revolution,  and  later 
on  many  of  them  were  in  the  war  of  1812.  Still  later,  a  number  of 
these  veterans  of  two  wars  moved  to  the  great  and  boundless  west, 
where  the  hazardous  life  might  be  spent  in  fighting  savage  tribes  of 
Indians. 

As  best  it  can  be  learned  only  seven  of  these  grand  old  patriots 
died  and  were  buried  within  the  confines  of  Haywood  County,  to- 
wit:  at  Waynesville.  Colonel  William  Allen  and  Colonel  Robert 
Love;  at  Canton.  George  Hall,  James  Abel,  and  John  Messer;  at 
upper  Fines  Creek.  Hughey  Rogers;  a1  lower  Fines  Creek.  Christian 
Messer.    There  were  doubtless  others,  but  thir  names  have  been  lost. 

All  of  these  old  soldiers  were  ever  ready  to  fight  for  their  homes. 
They  came  in  almost  daily  contact  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  once 
a  great  and  warlike  tribe  controlling  the  wilderness  from  the  glades 
of  Florida  to  the  great  lakes.  While  these  savages  were  friendly 
to  the  settlers  it  was  ever  regarded  as  not  a  remote  possibility  that 
they  might  go  upon  the  warpath  at  any  time.  Hence  our  forefathers 
had  them  constantly  to  watch  while  they  were  subduing  the  land. 

Most  of  the  old  citizens  have  heard  of  the  three  old  treaty  lines 
running  through  Haywood.  Jackson.  Macon,  and  Swain  counties, 
from  the  Smoky  .Mountains  to  the  South  Carolina  line.  The  Indians 
claimed  the  line  between  Waynesville  and  the  Balsams,  hut  the 
whites  claimed  the  "Butler  line'.'  Punning  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Cowee  Mountains.  The  Meiggs  ami  Freeman  line  was  finally  settled 
upon.    That  line  runs  in  a  direct  course  from  Meiggs  Mountain,  one 


27 


mile  east  of  Clingman's  Dome  to  a  poinl  al  or  near  Caesar's  Head  on 
the  Smith  Carolina  line.  Thus  the  contention  between  the  white  set- 
tlers and  the  redskins  was  amicablj  settled,  and  the  mosl  friendly 
relations  between  the  two  peoples  have  existed  since. 

Very  litt) Deeming  the  pari  taken  bj   Hayv, I  Count)   in  the 

v.ir  of  1812  and  the  Mexican  war  can  be  found.  Practically  the 
veteran  of  the  Revolution  was  also  the  veteran  of  1812.  It'  he  did 
ih, i  go  to  the  front  in  thai  war  it  was  because  his  services  were 
not  demanded.     The  same  is  true  also  of  the  Mexican  war.     The 

in. mi  of  !l;iyw I  were  ready  and  willing  to  go,  bul  the  fighting  was 

nil  done  in  a  Bection  remote  from  this  county  and  there  was  never 
,in\   need  for  the  calling  nut  of  large  armies. 

In  the  (ivil  War  oi   1861-65,  however,  Hayw I  County  played 

,-i  conspicuous  and  ;i  heroic  part,  ;i  pari  thai  is  worthy  of  the  admira- 
tion  of  everybody.  During  those  eventful  years  this  county  had 
men  in  the  firsl  and  sixth  cavalry,  the  sixteenth,  twenty-fifth, 
twenty-second,  sixty-fourth,  sixty-ninth,  seventieth,  and  eightieth 
regiments  of  North  Carolina  troops.  Besides  this  enumeration,  there 
were  several  unattached  companies  of  junior  and  senior  reserves,  a 
company  of  Bappers  and  miners,  and  aboul  every  man  in  the  county 
able  to  shoulder  ;i  gun  or  a  "peck  of  bran."  The  four  volumes  of 
the  North  Carolina  roster  by  no  means  gives  all  the  names  of  the 
soldiers  from  Haywood,  nor  does  it  mention  all  the  deeds  of  daring 
even  of  those  ineiit ioned. 

The  sixteenth  regimenl  was  the  firsl  t<>  go  out  having  responded 
with  such  alacrity  to  the  call  of  Governor  Ellis  that  the  patriotic 
hearts  <>f  all  North  Carolinians  glowed  with  pride.  Company  A 
of  this  regiment,  made  up  of  Haywood  County  low.  after  serving 
one  year  in  the  army  of  Lee  in  Virginia  and  Wesi  Virginia  and 
Leaving  a  Dumber  of  its  besl  men  in  honored  graves,  was  transferred 
in  1862  to  "Thomas's  Legion,"  becoming  Company  K  of  that  regi- 
ment, and  will  he  ntioned  with  the  sixty-ninth  regiment. 

of  the  twenty-fifth  regimenl  too  much  cannol  he  said,  hut  in  a 
limited  work  of  this  kind  the  meed  of  praise  justly  dim  the  noble 
men  of  that  command  can  hut  faintly  he  mentioned.  .Mi. si  of  the 
men  composing  this  regimenl  were  originally  opposed  to  the  war 
or  to  secession;  bu1  the  proclamation  of  Presidenl  Lincoln  calling 
for  troops  to  -suppress  the  rebellion"  destroyed  the  hist  vesl 
brave  unionism  in  the  South,  and  called  the  Sons  of  Dixie  to  arms 
t,,  defend  their  hearthstones  and  sacred  altars. 

The>e  mountain  men  are  graphically  described  bj  Judge  Q  S 
Ferguson  in  his  history  of  this  regimenl  I  Regimental  History,  Vol.  -. 


28 

page  291),  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract:  "These 
mountain  men  had  always  been  accustomed  to  independence  of 
thought  and  freedom  of  action,  and  having  elected  for  their  com- 
pany officers,  their  neighbors  and  companions,  they  had  no  idea  of 
surrendering  more  of  their  personal  liberty  than  should  he  neces- 
sary to  make  them  effective  soldiers.  Obedient  while  on  duty  and 
independent  off  duty,  this  spirit  to  a  marked  degree  they  retained  to 
the  close  of  the  war."  This  regiment  spent  the  entire  four  years 
of  the  war.  except  a  few  months  on  the  Carolina  coast,  in  the  midst 
of,  and  in  the  front  ranks  of.  General  Lee's  army  in  Virginia.  Mary- 
land, and  Pennsylvania.  Out  of  one  thousand  men.  taken  to  Vir- 
ginia, over  220  were  killed  in  battle,  more  than  230  died  of  disease. 
and  480  were  wounded,  a  wonderful  and  terrible  record. 

In  this  regiment  of  heroes  Haywood  County  had  two  companies. 
Company  C  Avent  out  under  the  command  of  Sam  C.  Bryson,  who 
later  became  major  and  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment.  The 
familiar  names  of  some  of  our  best  men  and  families  are  found 
upon  its  roster. 

Several  years  atler  the  war  Colonel  Bryson,  a  lawyer  and  a 
good  man.  moved  to  T<  \as  and  became  an  honored  citizen  and  judge 
there.  While  in  this  county  he  lived  where  the  new  Baptist  church 
in  Wayn3sville  now  stands.  Following  Bryson  as  captain  wis 
Wesley  N.  Freeman,  who  had  been  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  He 
was  a  good  man.  He  married  a  daughter  of  William  Welch  of 
Waynesville,  and  moved  to  Georgia  after  the  war  and  became  highly 
respected  there  until  his  death  several  years  since.  Next  in  order 
was  Captain  W.  Pink  Welch,  who  was  Avell  known  personally  to 
all  the  older  inhabitants  of  Haywood  County.  Captain  Welch  was 
a  sterling  Democrat,  a  fine  lawyer,  a  successful  politician,  and  a  very 
popular  man  every  way.  He  was  married  first  to  Miss  Sallie  Cathey, 
a  daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Cathey  of  Pigeon,  who  lived  a  short 
while  only.  He  next  married  Miss  Margaret  White,  of  Athens,  Ga., 
who  with  one  son,  John,  survives.  The  Pink  Welch  camp  No.  848 
in  this  county  attests  the  respect  of  the  veterans  for  him  in  the  pre- 
servation of  his  name  and  deeds. 

The  other  officers  of  this  company  were  lieutenants  Stephen  J. 
Shelton,  Lewis  J.  Smith,  and  -Joseph  R.  Hawkins,  all  gone  except. 
Shelton  who  is  a  useful  and  honored  citizen  of  Waynesville.  Lieu- 
tenant Shelton  married  Miss  Mahola  Conley.  of  Jackson  County,  a 
sister  of  that  good  man  and  splendid  soldier  Lieutenant  Robert  II. 
Conley,  who  was  doubtless  one  of  the  last  men  in  all  the  South  to 
surrender,  at  Waynesville,  May  K),  1865.     Mr.  Shelton  has  been  a 


,,.,, ted  citizen  of  this  count)  all  his  life,  was  sheriff  of  the  county 

Mi;11,   years,  and  a  justice  of  the  peace  ever  since  be  served  out  bis 
time 


as  sheriff.    The  sergeants  were  Thomas  S.  Gillett,  K.  H.  Howell, 


I  Mill-    M    OUCili*.  a 

I      |    Smith    .1    c   Curry,  Prank  Messer,  DobsoD  and  Hawkins,  all 
deadexcepl  Mr.  Messer,  who  losl  a  fool  al  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  stiU 

lives  among  us. 

Compaq  F  was  commanded  by  Captain  Thomas  I.  Lenoir,  who 
was  succeeded  later  bj  Captain  James  A.  Blaylock  and  W.  11.  Har- 
grove  ,,,  their  nun.  The  ftrsl  lieutenants  a1  diflferenl  times  wen 
Thad  c  Hyatt  and  James  A.  Burnett,  and  the  second  lieutenants 
were  James  M.  Cathey,  Joseph  '1'.  Cathey,  William  Wright,  and  <:. 
s    Ferguson      Mos1  ol   these  officers    all  Bona  of  some  of  the  besl 

familie8  „,  Hayw 1  C itj      were  promoted  from  the  ranks,  and 

were  chosen  by  the  men  themselves  after  n ths  and  years  ol  BWeat 

blood   and  fire.    Thus  officered,  this  heroic  band  of  men  marched 

oul  to  battle. 

-Proudly  they  trod,  thai  gallanl  Southern  host, 
Forth  inarched  they  from  mountain,  grove,  and  <-u;ist. 
Their  hearts  beal  high,  they  thunder  on  the  foe, 
\n,l  like  a  whirlwind     to  the  Conflict  go." 
Only  a  few  words  aeed  1-  Baid  concerning  the  officers  of  this 
eompany      Capt.  Lenoir,  long  Bince  gone  from  us.  was  <>r  Revolu- 
tionary stock,  and  was  distinguished  as  a  brave  and  gaUanl  soldier. 
(••n.ta'.n    James   Cathey,  a  man    of    greal    worth    and    conspicuous 
bravery    was  killed  a1  the  "blow  up"  before  Petersburg,  June  30, 
1864    'Li.-uirnant  Ilvatt   was  killed  at   Warn.  Springs  ...  the  same 
„ear     Captain  Blaylock,  another  good  ...a.,  and  worthy  citizen,  wenl 
to  his  grave  in  honor  a  few  years  ago.    Captain  Hargrove  and  Judge 
Ferguson   remain   with    us  respected  and   honored   citizens. 

\„x;  0D  the  n.st,,-  of  the  brave  men  who  answered  the  call  ol 
Dixie  from  Western  North  Carolina  was  the  twenty-ninth  regiment, 
commanded  by  Colonel,  afterwards  General,  R.  B.  Vance  who  was 

o, r  nature's  noblemen.     One  company   from   Haywood  (  ounty 

wenl  ou1  with  this  regiment.    Captain  Hiram  Rogers,  who  still  lives 

an  1 .red  citizen,  led  the  brave  men  composing  11  to  tin-  seal  of 

u,„.     captain  Rogers  is  now  the  proud  ancestor  of  over  one  hundred 
and  fifty  children  and  grand  children. 

This  company  with  Rogers  and  Teague  as  commanders  had  a. 
Lieutenants  W.  1'..  Ferguson,  Henry  Plott,  James  P.  Murray,  and 
James  S    Henry,  all  now  dead  except    W.   B.  Ferguson,  who  ,«  a 

Buccessful  lawyer  and  business  man  honored  and  res] ted  by  all. 

I1(,w  living  ...  Waynesville.    Hani  service  was  seen  by  tins  company 


in  Tennessee,  Kentucky.  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Mississippi.  They 
left  many  noble  comrades  in  unknown  graves  at  Cumberland  Gap, 
Richmond  and  Perryville.  Ky..  Chattanooga.  Franklin,  Nashville. 
Corinth.  Vicksburg,  Ghieamauga,  and  Altobna.  They  were  with 
Joseph  E.  Johnston  as  he  retreated  before  Sherman  in  Georgia  and 
again  with  that  grand  old  soldier  as  he  struck  Sherman  a  deadly 
blow  at  Bentonville  and  afterwards  surrendered  to  overwhelming 
odds  at  Durham,  thus  closing  an  honorable  military  career. 

In  the  thirty-ninth  regiment  there  seems  to  have  been  no 
separate  company  from  this  county,  although  quite  a  number  of 
Haywood  men  went  out  with  it  attached  to  other  companies  from 
other  counties. 

Next  comes  the  gallant  sixty-second  regiment,  commanded  by 
one  of  Haywood's  favorite  sons.  Colonel  Robert  G.  A.  Love,  who  first 
donned  his  uniform  as  Lieutenant-colonel  of  the  sixteenth  regiment 
in  1861  and  on  account  of  failing  health  resigned  his  commission 
after  a  short  service  and  returned  to  private  life.  Being  partially 
restored  in  health,  however.  Colonel  Love  again  threw  himself  into 
the  breach,  and.  at  considerable  cost  to  himself,  raised  the  sixty- 
second  regiment,  with  three  fine  companies  from  this  county,  com- 
manded by  three  of  the  best  officers  furnished  by  Haywood  County 
for  the  war,  Asbury  T.  Rogers.  John  II.  Turpin,  and  William  J. 
Wilson,  the  two  former  now  dead  and  Captain  Wilson  now  a  citizen 
of  Texas. 

Of  the  first  company,  commanded  by  Rogers,  only  one  officer 
survives.  ex-sherifl:  AY.  11.  Leatherwood  now  assistant  clerk  of  the 
court.  From  Turpin's  company  not  a  single  officer  lives  to  help 
tell  the  tale  and  only  one  non-commissioned  officer  out  of  eleven. 
namely  Lorenzo  D.  Medford,  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  Iron  Duff 
township.  From  the  third  company,  besides  Captain  Wilson,  lieu- 
tenant Edmond  P.  G.  Murray  alone  remains.  Lieutenant  Murray,  a 
useful  and  much  esteemed  citizen,  takes  a  lively  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  war  and  has  assisted  greatly  in  revising 
the  roster  of  Haywood  County  troops. 

This  regiment,  after  being  baptized  in  blood  on  many  hard 
fought  fields  was  captured  at  Cumberland  Gap  and  spent  twenty- 
three  months  in  prison.  During  thai  Long  confinement,  starving  and 
freezing  for  a  good  portion  of  the  time,  they  were  offered  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  and  with  it  freedom,  hut  they  in- 
dignantly refused  each  time  it  was  offered.  Human  history  furnishes 
few  examples  of  higher  tests  of  loyally  than  this. 


::i 


lii  many  res] is  the  mosl  notable  of  the  regiments  that  wenl 

mil  from  the  mountain  counties  was  the  Bixty-ninth,  or  better  known 

as  Thomas 's  Legion.    Onlj  one  corapanj  IV Haywood  belonged  i<> 

it.    This  regimenl  was  organized  bj  Col< I  William  II.  Thomas,  a 

native  born  Haywood  boy,  born  in  1805  and  before  either  Macon, 
Jackson,  or  Cherokee  became  counties.  < '"I I  Thomas  was  om- 
ul' the  mosi  conspicuous  men  in  this  pari  of  North  <  larolina  prior 
to  the  war.  He  earlj  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Cherokee  Indians 
and  reallj  spent  the  besl  pan  of  Ins  life  in  their  upbuilding.  During 
the  war  all  of  the  western  counties  would  have  been  entirely  overrun 
imi  for  his  loyaltj   to  the  South. 

Company  E  oi  this  regimenl  was  from  Haywood  County  and 
officered  by  Captain  Julius  M.  Welch,  Lieutenants  Th as  J.  Fer- 
guson, J.  Harrison  Moody,  and  William  ( '.  Brown,  all  living  excepl 
Captain  Welch,  the  christian  hero,  who  was  killed  at  Piedmont,  Va  . 
June  5,  1864,  a1  the  beginning  of  the  celebrated  "valley  campaign" 
of  Generals  Jubal  Early,  Longstrect,  Gordon,  Rhodes,  Ramseur,  and 
others. 


Col.  \V.  W.  Stringfield  when  2« 


32 

Prior  to  .this  time,  however,  it  should  be  stated,  when  the 
regiment  was  organized  at  Knoxville.  Tenu  .  in  the  summer  of  1862 
this  company  (E)  had  been  transferred  from  the  Sixteenth  North 
Carolina,  and  with  two  Indian  companies  (A  and  B),  Company  C, 
•  Johnson 'a  of  this  county.  Companies  F  and  G.  McConneU 's  and 
Fisher's  of  Jackson,  Companies  II,  I  and  K  from  Cherokee  and 
Graham,  and  Company  D  from  Tennessee,  made  up  the  famous 
"legion."  Company  A  was  at  first  commanded  by  Captain  James 
W.  Terrell,  who  later  became  quarter  master  of  the  regiment.  lie 
was  a  Haywood  County  boy,  but  is  now  living  at  a  ripe  old  age  at 
Webster,  X.  C,  a  Christian  gentleman  of  intelligence  "browsing 
aiong  the  coast"  of  the  great  river  waiting  for  his  Master's  call. 
His  brother  Lieutenant  William  S.  Terrell,  a  sprightly  young  man 
then,butnow  asprightly  oldman  of  Pigeon  valley,  "Johnnie  Hopeful" 
being  his  nom-de-plume.  Captain  Johnson  of  Company  C,  afterwards 
major  of  the  regiment,  after  the  war.  moved  to  Florida,  was  in  the 
Senate  of  that  State  for  some  years  and  esteemed  as  an  honored 
citizen.  Of  the  lieutenants,  W.  R.  Trull,  John  H.  Smathers,  William 
D.  Hall,  and  Elisha  W.  .Morgan,  all  have  passed  over  to  the  other 
shore  except  Lieutenant  Trull,  who  is  yet  an  active  man  in  one  of 
the  far  western  States  and  who  was  honored,  before  leaving,  with 
a  seat  in  the  Legislature  from  this  county. 

It  is  regretted  that  the  lack  of  space  prevents  the  mention  of 
private  soldiers,  who  followed  the  "Southern  Cross"  for  four 
years,  and  performed  deeds  of  daring  and  dauntless  courage  that 
will  live.  They  are  the  uncrowned  heroes  whose  names  may  not 
be  chronicled  among  man  but  are  recorded  in  the  unopen  book  of 
immortality. 

Coming  down  to  the  present  generation,  the  sons  of  the  soldiers 
of  1861  responded  as  promptly  to  the  call  of  President  McKinley.  in 
1898,  for  troops  to  go  1o  Cuba  as  did  the  socalled  thrice  loyal  legions 
of  the  North.  For  the  liberation  of  Cuba  a  Haywood  County  com- 
pany was  formed  and  officered  by  Captain  W.  J.  Hannah  and  Lieu- 
tenants Thomas  Stringfield.  Hugh  A.  Love,  and  Ben  J.  Kirkpatrick. 
It  was  made  up  of  a  fine  lot.  of  non-commissioned  officers  and 
private  soldiers,   most  of  whom  are  living  among  us  to-day. 

Setting  out  for  the  seat  of  war  as  company  II  of  the  first 
North  Carolina  infantry,  they  had  the  misfortune  of  being  held  in 
reserve  on  the  coast  of  Florida  until  the  war  was  practically  over 
and.  therefore,  of  not  being  actively  engaged.  They  had.  however, 
the  distinguished  honor  of  guarding  the  first  United  Stales  Hag  ever 
carried   through   the   streets   of    Ilavanna.      This   honor   was   offered 


.;; 

them,  when  in  December,  L898,  the  regiments  of  North  Carolina 
troops  with  other  troops  iron,  other  states  bad  been  ordered  to 
Cuba  and   the  ships  carrying  them   were   lying   in   the   harbor  of 

Havanna,  on  condition  thai  they  disembark  in  an  orderly  and  •<• 

speedy  manner  than  a  certain  Northern  regimenl  on  another  ship 
lying  alongside.  All  the  boys,  officers  and  men,  wenl  to  work  and 
unloaded  the  Bhip,  packed  the  wagons,  and  were  readj  to  march 
through  the  streets,  while  their  Yankee  comrades  were  lying  on 
the  shore  hiring  the  lazy  Cubans  to  do  the  work  thej  should  have 
been  doing  themselves,  and  as  then-  fathers  had  done  in  the  <'ivil 

war.    Along  with  other  North  Carolina  companies  Hayw I  County 

boys  gave  the  rebel  yell  when  it  was  discovered  thai  North  Carolina 
was  again  firsl     a1  Havanna. 

There  is  a  good  joke  on  the  Bayw I  County  boys  thai  is  too 

good  t<»  lose;  As  the  regimenl  in  fine  trim  and  in  splendid  order, 
proudly  stepping  to  the  music  of  "Dixie"  and  "Yankee  Doodle," 
marched  up  from  the  harbor  to  the  Main  Streel  of  the  city,  where 
the  people  in  wild  joy  and  enthusiasm  crowded  the  Btreets  and  side- 
walks shouting  themselves  hoarse,  the  firsl  batallion  when  well  oui 
on  .Main  Streel  were  greeted  with  a  brillianl  display  of  fireworks, 
cannon  crackers  and  other  explosives,  one  of  the  regimental  officers, 
himself  a  youth  in  war,  during  a  momentary  ball  and  having  heard 
Borne  whisperings  of  treachery  in  the  city  ordered  his  batallion  to 

load    their    guns   at    once    and    be    ready    to    t i lt h t    the    traitors.      One 

Haywood  hoy.  who  hail  been  in  the  Civil  war.  was  earnestly  ques- 
tioned as  to  his  idea  of  the  tumult.     Looking  wise  and  listening  for 

.1  second  or  two  he  replied,  "Yes,  hoys  they  are  fighting  like  h 

r.p  there."  Soon  they  W3re  on  Main  street  and.  of  course,  com- 
prehended the  situation.  .Major  dames  M.  Bloody  was  Qlong  at  the 
time  on  the  staff  of  Major  General  Keifer,  and  did  honorable 
service   in   this  Spanish-American    military    picnic.     Major   Moody 

was  a  son  of  a  I  lay  woo. 1  County  veteran  of  the  ('ivil  war.  and  a 
roan   popular  \\  it h   all   cl  i 

since  the  Spanish -American  war  Haywood  County  has  had 
representatives  in  the  Philippines  ami  upon  the  seas.  Major  John 
\V.  Norwood,  now  a  practicing  attorney  in  Waynesville,  served  two 
or  three  years  in  the  Philippines  as  firsl  lieutenant.  Young  W.  P.. 
and  Harlej   Fergusi  a,  Bons  of  W.  1'..  Ferguson,  of  Waynesville,  are 

winning  golden  laurels  in  the  Bervi >!'  the  United  States  govern- 

ment   and   in  Ship-building.     Oi I'  them   is  a   graduate  from  the 

military  school  at  West  Poinl  and  11 ther  of  the  Naval  Academy 

at  Annapolis.    John  N.  Ferguson,  son  of  Judge  <;    s    Ferguson,  is 


u 

a  graduate  of  the  Naval  Academy  and  has  already  made  a  name  for 
himself  by  the  efficiency  of  his  service.  William  IT.  Lee,  a  son  of 
W.  T.  Lee  of  Waynesville,  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  Naval  Academy 
and  is  doing  brave  service  on  one  of  the  battleships  in  our  navy. 

From  the  records,  therefore,  it  is  apparent  that  old  Haywood 
has  no  cause  to  ever  be  ashamed  of  her  war  history,  early  or  late. 
If  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution  and  of  the  Civil  war,  most  of  whom 
are  silent  in  their  graves,  could  speak,  with  almost  one  voice  and  in 
thunder  tones  they  would  say,  "Boys,  be  true  to  your  God,  your 
country,   and  the  memory   of  your  fathers." 


CHAPTER  VI. 


he  Pursuits  of  Peace. 


Since  its  formation   in   1808  Hayw I  County  has  stood  high 

among  tin-  counties  of  the  State.  Her  citizenship  has  ever  been 
loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  the  commonwealth,  generally  enlisting 
on  the  conservative  and  safe  side  of  every  public  questioq.  In  peace 
as  well  as  in  war  her  people  have  been  true  to  the  highest  princi- 
ples of  patriotism,  which  is  nowhere  better  exe  nplified  than  in  fash- 
ioning a  greal  self-governing  community  from  the  fastnesses  and 
wilds  of  the  mountains.  In  the  comparatively  shorl  space  of  a  hun- 
dred years  such  transformation  has  taken  place  thai  the  wildest 
dreamer  of  the  lasl  century  would  be  dazzle:!  al  the  result. 

'Plus  growth  has  no1  been  rapid.    It  was  particularly  slow  in  the 

incipent  stage  of  the  county's  existence.  Even    for    man}    years 

•he  organization  oJ   the  county  governmenl    in   March,    1809, 

and  the  location  of  th >unty  seat    in   the   fall   of  that   year,  the 

country  was  almosl  an  unbroken  wilderness  from  the  Pigeon  to  the 

there  a  prosperous  settlement  had  Bprung  up. 

but   for  n   hundred  years  after  the   firsl    settlements  there 

t  an  incorpoi  at<  i  to .-.  a  in  the  county. 

Fr<  rliesl   times  the  bulk  of  the  people  have  lived  on 

thai  have  been  literally  snatched  from  the  wilderness.    Tilling 

:l  and  raising  live  stock  received  the  greatesl  attention  from 

the  fir:  t.     0  even   in   thai    was  the   remoter 

die  aarkets.  The  is  .ire.-;  town  where  a  market  for  country  produce 
could  be  found   previ  170  was  Greenville,  S.  <'..  and  over 

the  rough  mountain  roads  the  task  of  getting  to  market  was  difficull 
ami  so  perilous. 

Nothing   dan    '  vei\    the   early    inhabitants   of    Haywood 

sel  about  the  task  of  reclaiming  and  subduing  the  land.    These  hardy 


3G 

frontiersmen  trained  to  hardship  and  active  toil,  did  not  shrink 
from  hard  labor,  but  gave  their  attention  to  those  things  which 
contributed  most  directly  to  the  building  up  of  a  self-sustaining  com- 
munity. Hence,  in  Haywood  for  the  first  decade  or  two  of  its  ex- 
istence, almost  every  man  was  a  laborer. 

Until  comparatively  recent  times  the  county  was  isolated  from 
the  great  business  centres  of  the  country,  and,  therefore,  followed 
the  slow  but  sure  business  policies  of  a  strictly  primitive  people. 
There  was,  therefore,  no  piling  up  of  great  fortunes;  but  a  spirit  of 
thrift  and  rustic  enterprise  possessed  the  staid  and  tried  inhabi- 
tants of  the  hills.  Wealth,  in  that  early  time,  consisted  largely 
in  undeveloped  mountain  lands,  and  some  landed  estates  of  vast 
boundaries  were  entered  and  transmitted  to  descendants. 

Owing,  therefore  to  the  slow  progress  in  the  development  of 
tht;  mountain  lands  and  the  consequent  tardy  influx  of  population 
the  taxable  valuation  of  property  in  Haywood  County  has  shown 
only  a  moderate  increase  from  year  to  year.  The  following  table 
taken  from  the  reports  to  the  State  auditor,  shows  how  moderate 
that  increase  has  been: 
Year  Property  Polls 

1839 111,780    296 

1849    203,040    344 

1859    772,900    533 

1869    804,165    872 

1879    919,602    ...1242 

1889  1,567,607   1671 

1899  1,858,180  1916 

1908   4,657,947   2631 

Ecprrts  back  of  183J  were  destroyed  when  the  capital  at  Raieigh 
was  burned  that  year. 

In  legislative  halls  Haywood  County  has  played  no  unimportant 
part.  While  her  people  were  carving  the  county  from  the  rocky 
heights  and  the  verdant  slopes  of  the  everlasting  hills,  they  did  not 
forget  that  they  were  an  integral  part  of  the  "Old  North  State"  and 
interested  in  everything  that  concerned  the  commonwealth  as  a 
whole.  From  the  first  some  of  the  county's  best  men  have  been 
sent  to  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  North  Carolina.  Among  them  are  many  names  that  are  still 
familiar  in  the  county.  Several  of  them  have  reached  almost  emin- 
ence among  their  fellow  men.  The  following  list  will  be  of  interest 
to  every  native  of  Haywood  County: 


Members   of   General    Assembly   From    Haywood    County. 


Senate  Hoi 

.John   Welch    Thorn 

.John   Welch    Thorn 

.John   McFarland   Thorn 


of  Representatives. 
Love,  Thomas   Lenoir 

Love,  Tli as   Lenoir 

Love.  Thomas   Lenoir 


.John  McFarland Thomas  Lenoir,  John  Dobson. 

.John  McFarland Thomas  Lenoir,  Joseph  Chambers 

.John  McFarland Thomas  Love,  Thomas  Lenoir. 

.James  Welch Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Chambers. 

.Hodge  Rabourne. ..  .John  Stephenson,  William   Welch. 

.Thomas  Tatharo Thomas  Love,  Dan'l  McDowell. 

.Hodge  Rabourne Thomas  Love,  William  Welch. 

.Hodge  Rabourne   ....Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Chambers. 

.Hodge  Rabourne Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Chambers. 

.Hodge   Rabourne.  .James   R.   Love   Ninian   Edn ston. 

.Hodge  Rabourne James  R.  Love,  Benjamin  chirk. 

.Thomas  Love .lames  R.  Love.  Xiiiian  EJdmonstou. 

.Thomas  Love .lames  R.  Love.   Ninian   Edmonston. 

.Thomas  Love .lames  R.   Love.   Ninian    Kdmonston. 

.Thomas  Love .lames  R.  Love.  Ninian   Edmonston. 

.Thomas  Love    .lames   R.    Love,   B<'ii.j.  S.    Britlain. 

.Thomas  Love Benj.  S.  Brittain.  Ninian   Edmonston. 

."William  Welch  ....James  R.  Love.  Ninian  Kdmonston 
.William  Welch  ....James  R.  Love.  Ninian  Edmonston. 
.William  I'arham  ..Nianian  Kdmonston.  Jno.  L.Smith. 
.William  I'arham  ....Ninian  Edmonston,  Jno.  L.Smith. 
.William  Sitton  .....Ninian  Kdmonston.  Jno.  L.  Smith. 
.Ninian  Kdmonston  ..Jno.  L.  Smith,  Joseph  II.  Walker. 
.Ninian    Kdmonston    ..Jno.   L.  Smith.  Joseph   II.   Walker. 

.James  Gudger  John  L.  Smith. 

.Hodge  Rabourne Joseph    Keener 

.Thomas  L.  Clingman Joseph    Keener. 

.Joseph  Cathey  Michael  Francis. 

.Michael  Francis Joseph   Keener. 

.Michael   Francis   \ndrew   Ferguson 

.  W.  II.  Thomas Robt.  G.   A.   Love. 

.W.  II.  Thomas Robt.  G.   A.    Love 

.Michael  Francis Robt.  G.  A.  Love. 

.Michael  Francis  Robt.  <:.  A.  Love. 

.Michael   Francis   s-   B.   Love. 

.Michael   Francis  s-  B.  Love 

.Michael   Francis   s-   U  Bove 


1862   CD.  Smith    g.   L.   Love. 

1864   S.  C.  Bryson  S.  L.  Love. 

1866   B-  M.  Henry   Greene  Garrett 

1868   Win.  L.  Love  .' Walter  Brown. 

1870   Win.  L.  Love W.  P.  Welch 

1872   Wm.  L.  Love H.  P.  Haynes. 

This  year  Haywood,  Henderson,  and  Transylvania  were  made 
the  34th  Senatorial  district. 

1874   No  Senator p.  M.  Davis. 

1876   G.  S.  Ferguson F.  M.  Davis. 

1879  ' No  Senator F.   M.   Davis. 

1881    J.  P.  Deaver F.  M.  Davis. 

1 883    No  Senator W.  W.   Stringfield. 

1885   W.  L.  Tate  '...'. W.  T.  Crawford 

1887   Geo.  W.  Wilson W.  T.  Crawford. 

1889   No  Senator W.  II.  Hargrove. 

1891    J.  S.  Davis   R,  D.  Gilmer. 

1893   J.  S.  Davis ....  .R,  D.  Gilmer. 

This  year  Haywood,    Buncombe,    and   Madison,  composed   the 
41st  Senatorial  district. 

1895   J.  M.  Moody  W.  T.  Lee. 

1897   Geo.  H.  Smathers J.  W.  Ferguson 

1899   No  Senator J.  S.  Davis 

1901    W.  W.  Stringfield J.  A.  Collins; 

1903   No  Senator   M.  D.  Kinsland. 

1905   .....  .W.  W.  Stringfield    J.  S.   Davis. 

1907   No  Senator   ' D.  L.  Boyd. 

Besides  this  long  list  of  honored  citizens  extending  from  the 
earliest  existence  of  the  county  to  the  present,  Haywood  County 
has  had  men  prominent  in  other  positions.  During  the  long  sec- 
tional controversy  between  eastern  and  western  North  Carolina 
regarding  the  question  of  representation  in  the  General  Assembly. 
General  Thomas  Love,  Colonels  N'nian  Bdmonston,  Wolliam  Welch, 
and  James  R.  Love,  who  were  members  from  the  county  at  different 
times,  took  strong  positions  for  a  reform  that  would  give  the 
west  its  rightful  representation  in  the  councils  of  the  State.  At 
that  time  each  county  was  entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  represen- 
tatives, a  plan  which  gave  the  large  number  of  small  eastern 
counties  greatly  the  advantage  over  the  large  western  counties. 
The  west  wanted  to  put  the  matter  of  representation  upon  the 
basis  of  population,  an  arrangement  which  the  cast  bitterly  fought. 
The  controversy  went  on  for  twenty  years  and  was  finally  disposed 


of  by  the  calling  ol  the  constitutional  convent! t  1835 

To  tins  convention  Hay* I  Count3  Ben1  one  of  her  most  die- 

tinguished  citizens,  ColonelJoseph  Cathej  ol  Pig i.    He  took  poai- 

with  the  wesl  in  the  main  question  before  thai  body  and  was 
i^truxnental  i„  bringing  aboul  the  greal  issue  b3  which  each  county 
waa  afterwarda  represented  in  the  General  Aasembl)   according  to 

its  population.    This  al aade  an  opening  for  the  erection  oi  new 

countieB  in  the  west,  a  thing  which  had  been  greatlj   desired,  bu1 
nad  been  stopped  on  account  ol  the  agitation  thai  had  been  going  on 

i,. i-  many  years. 

For  twenty-five  jreara  following  the  constitutional  convention  ... 

1835  Hayw I  Counts  i pie  trod  the  paths  ol  peace.    Nothing    ur 

ther  was  done  than  would  be  expected  of  a  peace  loving  and  indus- 
trious community.  Even  the  Mexican  war,  to  which  only  a  fen 
North  Carolinians  went,  did  aol  disturb  the  quiel  ol  the  mountain 
covea  and  glens.  Up  to  1861  there  was  nothing  of  an  exciting  nature 
unl,  the  rumbling  of  the  storm  thai  was  approaching.    New 

farms  were  being  opened  np  and  better  roads  were  being  built 
stride  of  those  things-which  relate  only  to  the  material  uplifting  ol 

the  county,  M   may  be  aaid  thai   Hayw 1  had   qo  history  during 

those  years.    During  thai  quarter  century  the  county  was  being  rep- 

ted  in  the  General  Assembly  a1  Raleigh  by  auch  men  as  Joseph 

,  Cathey,  Michael  Francis,  Andrew  Ferguson,  Robert 

..    A   |  nvi.  .,„  |  Dr  s  L  LoVe.    It  can  be  Been,  therefore,  from  these 

namea  thai  the  county  wa  i  having  w<  ighl  in  the  councils  of  State. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
War's  Alarms. 

Early  in  1861  the  mutterings  of  the  approaching  storm  were 
distinctly  heard  in  all  parts  of  North  Carolina  and  the  South.  The 
war  feeling  which  had  been  growing  for  months,  had  now 
become  dominant.  South  Carolina  had  seceded  on  Decem- 
ber 20th,  1860.  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi, 
Louisiana  and  Texas  followed  rapidly  in  January,  1861.  The 
Confederate  States  government,  with  Jefferson  Davis  as  president 
and  Alex.  II.  Stephens  as  vice-president,  was  organized  at  Montgom- 
ery, Ala.,  early  in  February.  The  three  border  States  of  Virginia, 
North  Carolina,  and  Tennessee  were  halting  between  two  opinions, 
but  were  still  loyal  to  the  union. 

In  North  Carolina  the  union  sentiment  was  very  strong.  The 
rh'st  call  for  a  secession  convention  was  defeated  by  a  substantial 
majority  at  the  polls,  and  it  seemed  that  the  "Old  North  State" 
would  remain  in  the  union.  But  in  April,  when  President  Lincoln 
called  upon  North  Carolina  to  furnish  her  quota  of  troops  to  force 
the  seven  seceding  States  back  into  the  union,  there  was  a  com- 
plete revolution  of  sentiment,  and  every  man  became  a  secessionist. 
The  Legislature  was  hastily  convened  in  extraordinary  session,  and 
that  body  issued  a  call  for  a  convention  to  assemble  in  Raleigh  on 
May  20,  1861.  The  call  was  almost  unanimously  endorsed  at  the 
polls  and  delegates  were  chosen. 

Haywood  County  played  an  important  part  in  this  historic 
drama.  At  first  the  union  sentiment  in  the  county  was  overwhelm- 
ing; but  after  Lincoln's  call  for  troops  became  known  the  feeling 
changed,  and  what  had  been  ;i  union  stronghold  now  became  ram- 
pant for  secession.  Rev.  William  Hicks,  who  had  been  a  strong 
union  sympathizer  but  now  equally  strong  for  secession,  was  elected 
as  the  county's  delegate  to  the  convention.     Mr.  Hicks,  who  was  <4 


verj  eloquenl  Bpeaker,  hastened  to  Raleigh,  voted  for,  and  Bigned 
the  ordinance  of  secession  thai  dissolved  the  bands  existing  between 
North  Carolina  and  the  United  States  government. 

Succeeding  thai  evenl  volunteer  companies  were  quickly  organ 
ized  in  Haywood  County  as  elsewhere  in  the  State  and  smi  to  the 
fronl  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  Aboul  twelve  hundred  mea  from 
this  county  joined  the  Confederate  Bervice  and  many  of  them 
were  in  the  firing  line  from  the  beginning  al  Bethel  to  the  close 
al  Appomattox.  Thej  were  in  some  of  the  bloodiesl  battles  of  the 
war,  and  were  among  the  lasl   to  laj   down  their  anus. 

It  is  not  the  purpose,  however,  in  tins  place,  to  follow  the 
fortunes  of  Haywood  County  troops  throughout  the  war.  Thai  has 
been  done  already  in  another  chapter.  Only  some  things  ool  men- 
tioned in  the  chapter  referred  to  need  to  be  touched  upon  here, 
among  them  Kirk's  raid  through  the  count}  in  March,  1865,  and 
Bartlett's  surrender  al  Waynesville  in  May,  1865.  These  two  events 
are  quite  Bignificanl  in  the  history  of  the  county. 

It  will  be  remembered  by  those  living  in  the  county  al  the 
time  thai   early  in   1^ii.~»  there  were  very  few  men   in  the  county. 

Nearly  all  were  away  in  tin-  armies  of  I and  Johnston.    The  few 

that  were  here  were  stationed  aboul  in  squads  in  differenl  sections 
<>f  th.'  county.  Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  \V.  Stringfield,  with  the 
remnanl  of  the  sixty-ninth  regiment,  qow  reduced  t.»  less  than  300 
men  was  in  command  of  the  distrid  from  Asheville  to  beyond  .Mur- 
phy and  was  acting  under  General  -I.  <;.  .Martin,  who  was  in  com- 
mand of  tin1  distrid  of  western  North  Carolina  and  Mast  Tennes- 
see.  Colonel  Stringfield 's  command  was  scattered  over  the  ter- 
ritory over  which  In-  had  control.  Colonel  James  B.  Love,  with 
aboul  one  hundred  men,  had  spenl  most  of  tin-  winter  at  the  Locusl 
<>]<!  Field,  now  Canton,  and  was  on  the  lookout  for  any  advance  the 
enemy  mighl  make.     After  resting  for  some  weeks  at  his  home  in 

Jackson   County,    Colonel    Love,    who    had    almost    losl    his   health    in 

the  strenuous  campaign  in  the  valley  of  Virginia  in  1864,  had  re- 
joined his  regimenl  (the  69th  and  hail  the  direction  of  affairs  in  the 
field.  Colonel  Stringfield,  as  already  stated,  was  here,  there,  and 
everywhere  looking  after  the  scattered  detachments  of  soldiers 
operating  in  his  territory.    Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs,  from  a 

military    standpoint,    in    Haywood    County,    on    the    firsl    of    March, 

1865,  aboul  five  weeks  before  I 's  surrender  at  Appomattox. 

( >n  that  day  intelligence  was  received  that  a  Federal  force  of 
aboul  six  hundred  men,  onder  the  command  of  Co'onel  c.  \V. 
Kirk,  was  approaching  the  Cattaloochee  neighborhood  from  the  Ten- 


42 

nessee  side  of  the  Great  Smoky  Mountains.  This  was  the  notorious 
Colonel  Kirk,  a  renegade  Tennesseean  in  the  Federal  service,  who 
was  afterwards  so  infamous  in  the  "Kirk  war"  in  Alamance  and 
Orange  counties  in  1870  and  1871.  He'  was  now  upon  one  of 
his  numerous  guerilla  campaigns  for  which  he  was  so  universally 
hated. 

As  soon  as  this  intelligence  was  received  the  small  and  scattered 
forces  in  Haywood  County  prepared  to  resist  him.  Couriers  were 
dispatched  here  and  there  to  get  the  men  together.  One  company 
hurried  to  Cattaloochee  and  made  an  attack  upon  the  enemy  that 
had  just  crossed  the  line  into  the  county.  Kirk  returned  the  fire  that 
was  poured  into  his  ranks  and  the  small  Confederate  force  retired. 
One  Confederate  private,  Will  Hyatt,  was  desperately  wounded 
in  this  skirmish  and  died  soon  afterwards.  With  no  foe  opposing 
him  Kirk  pushed  on  to  Waynesville,  followed  and  harassed  by  the 
few  Confederates  in  arms  and  some  indignant  farmers  from  whom 
horses,  mules,  and  provisions  had  been  stolen  by  the  raiders. 

Reaching  Waynesville,  which  offered  no  resistance,  Kirk  burned 
the  home  of  old  Colonel  Robert  Love,  which  stood  on  the  "Temple 
lot,"  and  the  jail  after  liberating  the  prisoners  confined  in  it.  After 
threatening  to  burn  others  and  looting  every  house  in  the  place, 
Kirk  passed  on,  for  he  had  heard  that  the  patriots  of  Haywood 
were  assembling  to  make  an  attack  upon  him.  Near  the  "Pinnacle" 
on  the  Balsam  road  he  encamped  for  the  night.  In  the  da:1.::.; 
about  a  hundred  Haywood  County  troops  crept  up  on  the  far  side 
of  them  and  fired  a  volley  into  their  midst.  Kirk  opened  upon  them 
with  his  big  guns  and  the  Confederates  fell  back. 

Next  morning,  very  early,  instead  of  pressing  on  into  Jackson 
County  by  the  Balsam  gap,  the  Federal  leader  broke  camp,  marched 
back  to  Waynesville  and  hurried  on  toward  Soco  gap.  There  he  was 
met  by  Lieutenant  Conley,  who  drove  him  back  across  the  Balsams. 
Again  attempting  to  force  his  way  across  Soco  creek  on  March 
6th,  Kirk  was  met  by  the  united  forces  of  Jackson  and  Swain  coun- 
ties, including  a  company  of  Cherokee  Indians,  and  driven  across  the 
Smoky  mountains  into  Tennessee.  If  he  had  not  escaped  when 
he  did  he  might  have  been  captured  with  all  his  forces,  for  both 
whites  and  Indians  were  thoroughly  aroused  against  him  and  were 
collecting  from  all  quarters  to  run  him  down,  and  take  from  him  the 
spoils  he  had  plundered  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  county. 

The  war  was  now  fast  drawing  to  a  close,  but  the  men  of  Hay- 
wood were  as  patriotic  in  the  closing  days  of  the  war  as  they  had 
been  in  the  early  months  of  the  struggle.     The  ranks  of  Thomas's 


legion,  known  also  as  the  69th  regiment,  were  rapidly  refilled  by 
Haywood  and  Jackson  County  recruits  as  well  as  by  men  from  other 
mountain  counties.  Colonel  James  R.  Love,  now  in  active  command 
of  the  regiment,  was  ordered  to  Asheville  to  assist   in  repel 

threatened  attack  upon  that  place.    Col< I  Bartlett,  in  command  of 

Fork  regiment,  ha  I  inarch  •  I  from  Mast  Tennessee  to  attack 
A&heville  about  the  first  of  May.  but  found  the  place  defended.  He 
then  began  to  march  toward   Waynesville. 

Colonel  Love,  who  a  Little  time  befi  re,  had  repulsed  a  force  of 
the  Federals  who  om  Salisbury,  was  Bent  in  par- 
suit  of  Bartlett.  General  Martin,  the  commander  of  the  department, 
had  senl  word  to  Colonel  Stri]  vith  a  flag  of  truce  to 
a]  Stoneman  at  Knoxville  to  make  terms  with  him  for  the 
surrender  of  this  department.  Stringfield  got  ready  to  go,  but 
before  he  set  out  from  Franklin  a  paroled  soldier  from  Lee'  sin- 
rendered  army  came  in  and  told  that    I had  surrendered.     Thai 

was  the  first  that  had  been  hear,!  of  that  notable  event.  The  Boldier's 
story   was  disci-edited   and   Colonel    :  had   him   put    in   jail. 

Soon.  I  nother  soldier  came  and  told  the  same  story.    Then 

the  fir  i  Boldier  was  released.  Stringfield  set  out  to  Knoxville,  which 
he  reached  about  the  first  of  May.  ami  there  he  and  his  attendants 
were  thrown  into  jail,  and  held  for  a  month. 

Meanwhile  matters  were  fast  drawing  to  a  crisis  in  Haywood. 
Bartlett  with  his  New  Yorkers,  about  a  thousand  in  number,  came 
into  Haywood  about  the  6th  of  May.  No  resistance  was  offered  him 
and  he  marched  into  Waynesville,  establishing  his  headquartt 
Main  Street  and  stationing  his  troops  on  the  Sulphur  Springs 
property. 

(  in  the  evening  of  May  7th.  <  Jolonel  Love  with  his  command  came 
up  in  the  vicinity  and  Colonel  W.  II.  Thomas;  with  a  determined 
force  of  white  men  and  India:  over  from  Jackson  County 

ami  encamped  near  Dellwood.  Love  with  his  force  of  some  250 
men  passed  round  and  got  between  Bartl  ftt's  regiment  and  Balsam 

gap  while  Thomas  occupied    the  0   the   real-    of    the    enemy. 

Bartlett  *s  command  was.  therefore,  aim     I   surrounded. 

Toward  niirht  Thomas  advanced  upon  Bartlett  and  the  pickets 
of  tin-  forces  became  engaged   near  where  the  Springs  hotel   now 

stands.  Several  shots  were  fired  and  one  Federal  soldier  was  killed. 
Bartlett  then  asked  for  an  armistice  o  B,  which  was  granted. 

This  time  he  used  in  sending  two  renegade  Southern  men.  who  had 
joined   his  command,   one   from   Haywood   ami   the   other   from    Bun- 


44 

combe,  to  Colouel  Kirk  just  across  the  Balsams  to  come  to  his  as- 
sistance. 

After  the  two  days  armistice  was  out  on  the  evening  of  the 
9th  of  May  Colonel  Thomas  advanced  his  force  from  Dellwood  and 
arranged  them  along  the  slopes  of  Rocky  Knob  and  Old  Field  Top. 
Colonel  Love  from  above  the  Sulphur  Springs  brought  his  command 
into  close  contact  with  the  others  during  the  night.  From  their 
position  on  the  mountain  side  hundreds  of  fires  were  built,  and  it 
seemed  from  the  Yankee  camp  that  thousands  of  men  were  assemb- 
ling to  attack  them. 

Next  morning,  Colonels  Thomas  and  Love,  with  about  twenty 
Indians  painted  and  decked  with  feathers,  rode  toward  the  Yankee 
lines  and  demanded  a  surrender.  Bartlett  and  his  men  were  now 
thoroughly  alarmed.  Thomas,  in  his  vehement  and  vigorous  style, 
told  Bartlett  if  he  did  not  immediately  surrender  and  make  haste  to 
get  away  from  Waynesville  he  would  turn  his  Indians  upon  the 
Yankee  army  and  have  them  all  scalped. 

Bartlett  at  once  asked  for  a  consultation  so  that  terms  of  peace 
might  be  arranged.  The  commanders  met  in  a  building  near  where 
the  inn  now  stands,  and  there  it  was  agreed  that  inasmuch  as  Lee 
and  Johnston  had  surrendered,  the  news  of  which  events  had  just 
been  confirmed,  the  two  commands  would  mutually  cease  holtil- 
ities.  Bartlett  was  to  leave  Waynesville  at  once  and  Kirk  was  to 
stop  his  raiding.  Thomas  and  Love  disbanded  their  troops,  Bartlett 
and  Kirk  marched  to  Asheville  and  the  war  was  in  reality  ended. 


CHAPTER  Vin 


Since  the  Civil  War. 


I'»\  the  fall  of  1865  the  pomp  and  glory  of  war  had  ceased  to  ex- 

cite  th«-  youth  of  Haywood  ( 'ouiiiy.au. I  the  veterans,  who  had  borne 
the  burden  and  heat  of  the  campaigns  during  the  Eour  3  ears  of  strife 
had  gotten  hack  to  their  homes  after  a  long  absence.  Some  of  tin- 
soldier  boys,  win.  were  with  Lee  and  Johnston  and  who  had  been 
paroled,  returned  in  April  and  .May.  Others,  who  had  been  wounded 
or  held  in  prison,  did  not  gel  hack  to  the  old  homesteads  until  late 
in  the  summer  or  fall. 

The  troops  of  Thomas  and   Love,   who  had   tired   the   last   shots 
east  of  the  Mississippi  and  had   forced  a   Yankee  regimenl   to  terms 

of  surrender  more  than  a  month  after  the  surrender  of  Lee.  retired 

from  the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  laid  down  their  arms,  and  took 
np  the  ho.-.  Other  Haywood  County  boys  from  the  battlefields  of 
Virginia  and  Tennessee   found   their  way   hack  to  their  native  hills 

and  began  again  the  pursuits  of  peace.  War  was  ov.-r.  hut  th.-  bat- 
tles of  peace,  no  less  stern  and  unrelenting,  had  to  he  fought;  and 
the  manhood,  that  had  exhibited  itself  ,-,t  the  cannon's  mouth  or  iii 
tin-  charge  of  bayonets,  was  now  called  into  other  and  better  service. 
Haywood  County  needed  development.  The  four  years  of  strife 
had  arrested   progress     n  every  line  oj  industry.     There   was  no  di>- 

veloi  ment  in  agriculture,  do  manufacturing,  no  mining,  no  lumber- 
ing, no  commerce  worthy  the  name,  no  banking,  nothing  of  the  nun 
dred  different  enterprises  now  going  on  so  successfully  in  the 
county.  The  red  hand  of  war  had  blasted  every  enterprise,  and 
stagnation  was  literally  Btalking  abroad. 

lint  the  heroes  of  w.-u-  were  no  less  brave  in  times  of  peace. 

With  th.-  same  heroism  that  they  had  displayed  on  ;)  hundred  hi I- 

stained  fields  the  boys  of  'til  began  th.-  rebuilding  and  reanimating 


46 

of  the  county.  With  such  men  as  G.  S.  Ferguson.  W.  B.  Ferguson. 
\y  L  Norwood,  J.  C.  L|  Gudger,  Dr.  S.  L.  Love.  F.  M.  Davis,  W. 
G.  B.  Garrett.  W.  P.  Welch,  W.  J.  Wilson.  W.  W.  Stringfield  m  the 
lead  and  the  hosts  of  McCrackens,  Fergusons,  Crawfords,  Penlands. 
Kirkpatricks,  Russells,  Rogers,  Welchs,  Greens  .Aliens.  Loves.  Abels, 
Catheys  Edwardses,  Edmonstons,  Pattons,  Hayneses,  Osbornes, 
Smathers,  Shocks.  Ilyatts.  Wilsons,  Terrells.  Ledhetters.  Leather- 
woods.  Rays,  Morgans,  Ilerrens.  Boones,  Roberts,  Millers,  Moodys, 
Sheltons,  Howells,  Nolands,  Lees,  Hannahs.  Owens.  Campbells, 
Henrys,  and  others  to  help,  the  county  soon  began  to  emerge  from 
its  death  like  stupor  and  to  put  on  new  life. 

There  was  not  a  town  in  the  county  in  1865.  Waynesville  had 
the  court  house,  jail  and  a  dozen  or  fifteen  houses  with  no  pretense 
of  a  town  government,  Canton,  known  as  the  Fords  of  Pigeon  or 
later  as  Pigeon  River,  had  only  a  few  houses  within  its  borders. 
Clyde  and  Hazelwood  and  Sunburst  were  not  in  existence  then,  but 
are  products  of  a  later  growth.  The  many  nourishing  neighbor- 
hoods, now  so  prosperous,  were  then  merely  in  existence  Without 
signs  of  prosperity. 

^Politically  the  county  was  of  small  influence.  Only  about  seven 
hundred  voters  cast  their  ballots  in  the  elections  of  1866  and  1868. 
Many  of  the  veterans  of  the  war  just  closed  were  denied  the  ballot 
on  account  of  the  reconstruction  acts  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment. The  evils  of  reconstruction,  carpet-bag  government,  and 
negro  domination,  so  obnoxious  in  other  counties,  were  not  felt  to 
any  great  extent  in  the  mountain  counties,  Eor  no  matter  which 
political  party  triumphed  at  the  polls  the  government  machinery 
was  still  in  the  hands  of  home  people  and  not  aliens. 

In  1868  the  question  of  calling  a  State  constitutional  convention, 
to  revise  or  rewrite  the  constitution  of  1776,  was  submitted  to  the 
people  for  endorsement.  While  there  were  many  men  in  Haywood, 
as  elsewhere  in  the  Stale,  who  were  opposed  to  this  proposed  break- 
ing away  from  the  traditions  of  the  Revolution,  no  serious  opposi- 
tion was  developed.  The  county  voted  for  the  convention  and 
elected  as  its  representative  in  that  body  Mr.  W.  G.  B.  Garrett 
who  died  just  a  few  years  ago.  Mr.  Garrett  assisted  in  repealing  the 
ordinance  of  secession  and  in  fashioning  the  constitution  which  re- 
mained in  force  until  1875  when  it  was  revised  and  rewritten  by  the 
constitutional  convention  of  that  year. 

By  a  legislative  act  of  1871  Waynesville  was  incorporated,  and 
began  to  show  some  signs  of  becoming  a  town.  In  1870  the  famous 
White  Sulphur  Springs  hotel  was  built,  and  the  management  began 


17 


to  advertise  the  attractions  of  Waynesville  and  Haywood  County. 
People  began  to  come  her<  I  the  summer  and  booh  W 

\  1 11.*  ami  the  county  around  became  well  known  as  health  resorts. 
In  1883  the  North  Carolina  Teachers'  A-  embly  which  has  Bince  be 
come  such  a  power  for  good,  was  organized  al  the  Springs  hotel  in 
Waynesville  with  Prof.  Pay,  of  Ral<  its  firsl   president  and 

Eugene  Harrell,  of  the  same  place,  as  secretary.     The  railroad  had 

reached  th inty  seal  a  year  before,  and  what  had.  for  nearly  a 

hundred  years,  been  an  isolated  community  became  well  and  favor- 
ably known  m  other  communities  and  other  Sta1 

Along  with  other  counties  Haywood  voted,  in  188.1,  on  the 
question  of  State  prohibition.  In  the  state  fhe  liquor  forces  won 
by  an  overwhelming  majority,  but  in  Haywood  prohibition  won  by 
a  majority  of  twenty,  it  being  one  of  the  six  counties  in  North 
Carolina  that  gave  their  votes  that  way.  It  will  be  seen,  therefore, 
that  Haywood  County  is  original  prohibition  territory. 

Dr.  s.  I..  Love  was  elected  state  Auditor  in  1876  on  the  ticket 
with    Vance   ami   Jarvis,   and    served    until    1881.      lie    was   the    first 

Ilayw I  county  man  to  he  elected  to  a  State  office.     Hon.  J,  ('    I. 

Gudger  was  chosen  ju  Ige  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1884,  being  the 
first  Haywood  County  man  to  reach  that  high  office.  He  Berved 
eighl  years.  Bon.  YV.  I,.  Norwood  was  chosen  to  the  same  position 
in  1894,  and  Hon.  c.  S.  Ferguson  in  1902.  These  three  honored 
citizens,  still  living,  are  the  only  representatives  Haywood  County 
has   ever   had    upon    the    bench    of   the    State.      In    1900   Hon.   R.   D. 

Gilmer  was  elected  as  the  county's  first  representative  in  the  Attor- 
ney-Generalship of  the  State,     lie  is  qow  serving  his  second  term. 
Previous  to  1890  Haywood  County  had  had  only  one  represen- 
tative in  the  Congress  0f  Hie   1'iiited   States.     That   had   been   Hon. 

Felix    Walker,  who    lived    near    Dellwood,  ami    was  i smber  of 

Congress  in  1821.  In  1890,  however.  Hon.  W.  T.  Crawford  was  nom- 
inated ami  elected.  1892  lie  was  elected.  In  1894  Mr. 
Crawford  was  defeated.  In  1898  Mr.  Crawford  was  again  nomi- 
nated and  declared  elected,  but  his  election  was  contested  by  Mr. 
Pearson  and  near  the  close  of  his  term  he  was  unseated.  In  1900 
Haywood   County   had   two  candidates   for  Ci  the  tenth 

Congressional  district.  W.  T.  Crawford  and  J.  M.  Moody.  Mr. 
Mo.,dy  was  elected  and  served  until  his  death  in  February,  L903. 
Mr.  Crawford  was  again  elected  to  Congress  in  1906  and  has  1 n 

mated   for  the  same  position. 

During  the  last  ten  years  the  growth  of  the  county  has  1 n 

steady.    Good  macadam  roads  have  been  built  in  some  of  the  town- 


48 

ships,  new  roads  opened,  and  new  business  interprises  commenced. 
The  agricultural  interests  have  materially  improved  by  the  introduc- 
tion of  better  breeds  of  horses  and  cattle.  An  increased  interest  in 
the  products  of  the  farm  has  been  added  by  the  organization  in 
1906  of  the  Haywood  County  fair,  which  has  made  three  exhibits  of 
the  products  and  resources  of  the  county. 

Besides  the  agricultural  interests  other  agencies  for  the  up- 
building of  the  county  have  been  at  work.  The  lumber  business 
has  become  large  and  profitable.  Several  large  lumber  mills  have 
been  established  and  are  getting  out  immense  quantities  of  hardwood 
for  shipment  to  other  states  and  to  foreign  countries.  The  Champion 
Fibre  Company,  a  two  million  dollar  corporation,  established  an  im- 
mense pulp  mill  at  Canton  in  1906.  It  is  in  many  respects  the  largest 
plant  of  any  kind  in  the  state.  In  1905  Mr.  B.  J.  Sloan  established 
on  Pigeon  r;ver  a  large  electric  plant,  from  which  the  town  of  Way- 
nesvi^e  sixteen  miles  from  the  power  house,  is  supplied  with  electric 
power  for  lights,  motors,  and  fans.  The  same  system  also  furnishes 
a  large  amount  of  power  to  the  Champion  Fibre  Company  at  Canton. 
To  keep  pace  with  these  various  developments  in  agriculture. 
jtock  raising,  lumbering,  manufacturing,  mining,  and  other  indus- 
tries of  the  county,  business  has  also  developed.  Trade  has  wonder- 
fully increased.  The  towns  have  grown  in  population  and  wealth 
to  match  the  development  in  the  country  districts,  and  the  comity 
is,  therefore,  making  mighty  strides  toward  the  first  rank  among 
the  counties  of  the  state. 

If  we  compare  Haywood  of  the  present  with  the  Haywood  of 
one  hundred  years  ago  we  shall  see  a  wonderful  change.  Then  a 
few  hundred  people  lived  here;  now  twenty-five  thousand.  Then  no 
town  in  the  county;  now  four  towns  with  increasing  populations. 
Then  no  roads;  now  macadam  turnpikes  traversing  almost  every 
section.  Then  no  industry-  but  farming ;  now  almost  every  line  of 
business  in  the  modern  world  represented.  Then  few,  if  any, 
schools;  now  two  graded  schools  and  several  high  schools  besides 
the  public  schools  in  every  hamlet  in  the  county.  Then  very  few 
churches;  now  beautiful  and  substantial  houses  of  worship  in  every 
neighborhood.  In  short,  Haywood  County,  in  a  hundred  years'  time, 
has  leaped  from  the  desolation  of  the  wilderness,  unknown  bey  .in! 
its  own  borders,  into  the  calcium  light  of  railroads,  telegraphs,  tele- 
phones, libraries,  electric  lights,  schools,  churches,  newspapers, 
paved  streets,  macadam  roads,  furniture  factories,  paper  mills,  and 
all  the  conveniences  and  improvements  of  the  modern  community. 
What   wonderful  changes  time  hath  wrought! 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Builders  of  the  County. 

Many  of  the  real  builders  of  the  county  are  unknown  to  fame. 
Slim-  lie  in  unremembered  graves.  Few  only  achieved  distinction. 
Very  few  can  be  mentioned.  The  many  will  have  to  be  passed  by 
with  nol  even  a  word.  Such  is  the  fate  of  the  great  masses  of  hu- 
manity thai  come  into  existence,  play  for  a  brief  time  upon  the 
world's  stage,  and  pass  off  t . i  a  long  oblivion.  'Tis  bu1  a  few  thai 
cat  li  the  ear  and  attracl  the  eye  of  men. 

In  this  chapter  are  given  1  rief  sketches  of  those  who  have  had 

to  do  with  the  making  of  the  county.     Some  who  belong  in  the 

I  g  ven  for  the  reason  thai  their  footprints  have  be- 

e  so      m  thai  they  copld  nol  be  traced.     It  is  only  intended  to 
■  i  tln.se  who  have  lefl  a  distincl  impression  upon  the  life  of 
the  county,  and  such  only  have  been  selected. 
Felix  Walker. 

In  some  respects  the  most  remarkable  man  thai  ever  occupied 
a  seal  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  as  a  member  from  North 

Carolina  was  Felix  Walker,  who  was  elected  from  Haywood 
County   in   1817  and  served   until    1823.      Mr.   Walker  was  a   genuine 

type  oi  the  frontiersman  of  the  Daniel  Boone  stripe,  and  Buffered 
himself  to  be  surrounded  by  the  vanguards  of  civilization  only  two 
or  three  times  in  his  eventful  career. 

He  was  horn  in  Hampshire  County.  Va..  on  July  19th,  1753  and 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  that  locality.  About  1774  he  came  to 
North  Carolina  and  went  with  Daniel  Boone  upon  one  of  his  frontier 
trips  to  Kentucky,  being  with  that  remarkable  man  in  some  of  his 
thrilling   and    eventful    adventures   with    the    Indians    in    the   "great 

west*'  as  th-  Kentucky  County  was  then  called.  Returning  to  North 

Carolina  the  same  year  he  settled  in  that  pari  of  Tryon  County  that. 
is  now  called  Rutherford. 


50 

Enlisting  in  the  service  of  his  country  Mr.  Walker  was  a  soldier 
for  eight  years  during  the  entire  period  of  the  Revolution.  He  was 
a  faithful  and  patriotic  soldier  during  the  time  that  tried  men's 
souls.  After  the  war  closed  he  began  his  career  as  a  farmer  and 
merchant.  He  studied  law  also  and  was  for  many  years  a  practi- 
tioner. He  owned  large  tracts  of  land  in  what  is  now  Rutherford, 
Buncombe,  Haywood,  Jackson,  and  Cherokee  Counties. 

In  1792  he  was  elected  as  one  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature 
from  Rutherford  County,  and  was  re-elected  the  following  year.  In 
1799  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Legislature  and  re-elected  in  1800, 
1801,  1802,  and  again  in  1806.  During  all  those  years  he  served  the 
State  and  his  county  most  acceptably. 

In  1807  he  moved  from  Rutherford  to  Jonathan's  Creek  in 
what  was  then  Buncombe  County  but  now  Haywood.  He  soon  be- 
came identified  with  the  growth  and  development  of  this  section. 
His  name  appears  frequently  in  tbe  early  records.  When  the  county 
was  erected  Mr.  Walker  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  that  event  and 
contributed  largely  to  its  success.  He  was  a  candidate  for  the  posi- 
tion of  clerk  of  the  court  for  the  new  county,  but  was  defeated  for 
that  position  by  Colonel  Robert  Love. 

As  a  business  man  Mr.  Walker  Avas  very  successful.  He  bad 
a  store  in  Waynesville,  one  on  Scott's  Creek,  and  another  at  Qualla- 
town.  While  engaged  in  business  he  bad  some  time  to  devote  to 
politics,  and  became  a  successful  party  manager.  In  1817  be  was 
elected  to  tbe  Congress  of  the  United  Stat,js  from  the  Asheville 
district  and  re-elected  in  LSI!)  and  1821.  lie  retired  trom  policies 
in  1823.  While  in  Congress  be  became  famous  on  account  of  a 
pi  rase  which  be  used.  Webster's  International  Dictionary,  in  de- 
fining tbe  word  '■buncombe."  has  tbe  following  interesting  remark 
about  Mr.  Walker:  '"Tbe  phrase  originated  near  tbe  (dose  of  tbe 
debate  on  tbe  famous  Missouri  question  in  tbe  sixteenth  Congress. 
It  -was  then  used  by  Felix  Walker — a  naive  obi  mountaineer,  who 
r  sided  at  Waynesville,  in  Haywood,  tbe  most  western  county  of 
North  Carolina,  near  tbe  border  of  tbe  adjacent  county  of  Buncombe 
which  formed  a  part  of  this  district.  The  old  man  rose  to  speak. 
while  tbe  house  was  impatiently  calling  for  the  question  and  several 
members  gathered  round  him,  begging  him  to  desist.  He  perse- 
v<  red,  however,  for  a  while1  declaring  that  the  peop'ie  of  his  district 
expected  it,  and  that  he  was  bound  to  make  a  speech  for  Buncombe." 

Lis  term  o1  office  expiring  in  1823  Mr'.  Walker  retired  to  private 
life;  but  being  still  a  frontiersman  at  heart  he  sold  out  his  business 
interests  here  and  went  first  %o  Tennessee  and  later  to  Mississippi, 
where  be  died  in  1830. 


51 

Robert   Love. 

As  a  pioneer  in  Western  North  Carolina  and  the  founder  of 
Y\"aynesville  Colonel  Etoberl  Love  beca the  besl  known  man  con- 
nected with  the  early  history  of  Haywood  County.  His  services 
to  the  State  were  manj  and  varied.  He  Lived  a  Long  and  useful 
life  respected  and  Loved  i>\  his  friends  and  feared  by  his  enemies. 

Colonel  Lov(  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Love  and  Dorcas  Bell  Love 
of  Augusta  County,  Va.  He  was  born  in  that  county  in  L760,  and 
spent  liis  boyhood  days  near  his  birthplace.  No1  much  is  known  of 
his  early  life,  bu1  he  musl  have  been  very  well  educated,  because 
specimens  of  Ins  handwriting  in  the  records  in  the  Clerk's  office  at 
the  c -t  house  in  Waynesville  Bhow  evidenl  signs  of  good  training. 

In  177").  when  scarcely  fifteen,  the  Revolutionary  war  broke  out, 
and  the  stripling  of  a  boy  al  once  volunteered  in  the  patriotic  cause, 
joining  Washington's  army  in  the  fall  of  thai  year  .-is  it  camped 
near  Boston.  He  was  with  Washington  in  many  of  the  campaigns 
in  the  North,  and  on  many  battlefields  displayed  the  courage  of  a 
here  He  was  with  General  Anthony  Wayne  a1  the  attack  upon 
Stony  I'uint  in  L779. 

Later,  in  1780,  he  was  transferred  to  the  departmenl  of  the 
South  and  Berved  under  General  Nathaniel  Gfreene.  He  was  pro- 
moted from  one  position  to  another,  and  before  the  close  of  the 
war  he  held  the  commission  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  Continen- 
tal army,  being  one  of  the  youngesl   men  to  attain  such  rani-;. 

Colonel  Love  was  m  several  pitched  battles,  one  the  battle 
of  Guilford  Court-house  being  one  of  the  most  famous  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary struggle  and  the  turning  point  of  the  war.  There  Corn- 
wallis  really  received  his  death  blow  and  the  climax  at  Yorktown  fol- 
lowed  as  a    natural    result. 

Alter  the  close  of  the  war  Colonel  Love  married  .Miss  Mary 
Ann  Dillard,  daughter  of  Genera]  Thomas  Dillard  of  Pittsylvania 
County,  Va.,  and  removed  to  Washington  County.  Tennessee,  where 
he  soon  became  prominenl  in  civil  affairs.  For  one  term  he  was 
a  member  of  the  State  Legislature  from  Washington  <  ountj  and 
traveled  on  horseback  five  hundred  miles  to  the  capital  which  was 
then  at  Newbern.  A  year  Later  he  became  involved  in  the  contro- 
versy over  the  abortive  State  <>t*  Franklin,  which  Colonel -Sevier 
ana  his  adherents  sought  to  set  up  ou1  of  the  western  territory  of 
North  Carolina.  Colonel  Love  espoused  the  cause  of  North  Carolina 
in  the  dis-. nte  and  assisted  Colonel  Tipton  in  overthrowing  the  gov- 
ernment, which  Colonel  Sevier  had  organized.     His  service  in  this 

incident    is   n rded    in    Ramsey's    Annals   of   Tennessee   and    in    the 


52 

recent  historical  novel,  "The  Crossing,"  by  Winston  Churchill. 

After  the  close  of  the  Sevier-Tipton  controversy  in  Tennessee, 
Colonel  Love  removed  to  what  is  now  Haywood  County  but  what 
was  then  Burke.  He  settled  at  Mount  Prospect  and  bought  vast 
tracts  of  land.  When  Buncombe  was  erected  in  1791,  Colonel  Love 
at  once  became  influential  in  the  affairs  of  the  new  county.  He 
represented  Buncombe  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1793,  1791,  and 
1795  as  senator  from  that  county.  In  other  ways  also  he  was  prom- 
inent in  public  affairs  besides  amassing  a  large  fortune  in  land. 

When  the  agitation  for  a  new  county  west  of  Buncombe  began 
Coolnel  Love  was  one  of  the  prime  movers.  He  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  having  the  bill  erecting  the  county  of  Haywood  passed  by 
the  State  Legislature,  and  he  was  named  at  once  as  a  member  of 
the  commission  to  locate  the  county  seat  and  erect  the  public  build- 
ing. The  bill  was  passed  in  December,  1808,  and  ratified  the  same 
month. 

On  the  fourth  Monday  of  the  following  March  the  first  courrt 
of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions  met  at  Mount  Prospect  and  proceeded 
to  the  election  of  county  officers.  For  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the 
Court  there  were  two  candidates,  Robert  Love  and  Felix  Walker. 
Colonel  Love  was  unanimously  chosen.  He  served  in  that  capacity 
for  several  years. 

At  the  June  term  of  the  court  the  question  of  the  location  of 
the  county  seat  came  up.  The  commissioners  unanimously  agreed 
that  Mount  Prospect  should  be  the  favored  spot.  Colonel  Love, 
who  owned  most  of  the  land  donated  sites  for  the  court  house 
jail,  and  the  public  square.  He  also  suggested  the  name  Waynes- 
ville,  in  honor  of  Anthony  Wayne,  the  hero  of  Stony  Point.  Colonel 
Love  may  well,  therefore,  be  called  the  founder  of  the  little  city, 
beautifully  situated  on  Richland  Creek  on  the  site  of  the  ancient 
Mount  Prospect.  Besides  the  sites  for  the  public  square,  court 
house,  and  jail,  land  for  the  cemetery  and  several  churches  was 
also  the  gift  of  Colonel  Love. 

In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Democrat  and  an  intimate  friend 
and  earnest  supporter  of  Andrew  Jackson.  He  was  a  presidential 
elector  during  each  campaign  for  thirty  years,  and  in  order  to 
deposit  his  vote  he  traveled  the  long  journey  from  Waynesville  to 
Washington  City  in  his  gig,  being  often  weeks  on  the  road. 

From  his  mother,  Colonel  Love  inherited  a  larger  fortune  which 
he  invested  in  immense  boundaries  of  mountain  lands  in  Haywood 
and  Jackson  Counties.  It  was  at  one  time  one  of  the  largest  estates 
in  North  Carolina  and  is  still  considerable  in  its  extent  and  value. 


53 


In  thf  court  house  to-day  on  the  wall  just  back  of  the  judge's 
stand  is  a  bronze  tablet,  erected  in  1902  by  the  Dorcas  Bel]  Love 
Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Colonel  Love.  Governor  Chas.  B.  Aycoci  delivered  the 
oration  al  the  unveiling  at  that  time.    The  tablet  contains  this  in- 

script  ion  : 

1760  1845 

In   Memoriam 
ROBERT  LOVE 
Pounder  of  Waynesville. 
Soldier,  Statesman,  Benefactor 
ESrected  by  the 
DORCAS   BELL   LOVE  CHAPTER,    D.   A.   R. 
August   23;   1902. 
Colonel    Love   was    a   devoted    member    <>f    the    Presbyterian 
Church.      His  family   consisted   of  six  sons  and  seven   daughter*,, 
namely:   Thomas,  Samuel,   William.    Dillard,  John,   dames.   Annie. 
Winifred,  Dorcas,  .Martha.  Sarah.  Mary  Anne,  and  Rebecca 


Edward  Hyatt. 
Edward  Hyatt,  the  first  of  the  name  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge 

mountains,  was  born  in  England  about  tlie  middle  of  the  eigh- 
teenth   Century.       He    was    one    of    seven    brothers    who    crossed    the 

Atlantic  and  settled  in  Maryland  previous  to  the  Revolutionary 
war.    Two  of  the  brothers  went  North  and  five  of  them  finally  found 

their  way  into  the  South  and  West.  Edward  was  one  of  the  five 
who  drifted  South.  lie  stopped  in  Burke  County.  Soon  the  Revo- 
lution came  on.  and  Edward  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  Colonies. 

He  was  in  the  army  during  the  eight  years  of  its  continuance. 

After  the  war  Hyatt  began  life  anew  in  Bnrke  County.  About 
1785,  after  the  iirst  treaty  with  the  Indians  in  Western  North 
Carolina  was  made,  he  with  two  sons  ventured  into  tin-  Indian 
country  among  the  mountains,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
savages  were  hostile  at  that  time  and  had  sworn  by  the  Great 
Spirit  that  no  white  man  should  come  west  of  the  Blue  Rid<re 
Hyatt  undaunted,  however,  blazed  away  across  the  mountains  and 
with  his  sons  traveled  across  the  French  Broad  and  selected  a 
suitable  spot  for  a  camp  on  the  east  bank  of  Pigeon  river  near  where 
Canton  now  stands.  Their  food  was  such  game  as  they  killed  on 
the   way   as  they   were  expert   hunters. 


54 

Camping  there  for  some  time  they  explored  the  country  round. 
Then  they  moved  down  the  river  and  stopped  for  a  brief  time  at  a 
point  near  where  Clyde  is  now.  Not  liking  the  Pigeon  Valley, 
Hyatt  pushed  on  through  the  forest  till  he  came  to  a  good  spring 
near  where  Turpins  Chapel  now  stands.  Here  he  built  a  camp  on 
the  land  now  owned  by  Captain  Alden  Howell,  of  Waynesville,  and 
located  a  claim  of  good  land  which  suited  him,  returning  to  his 
home  about  twelve  miles  from  Morganton  on  the  Catawba  River. 
Soon,  therefore,  with  several  of  his  sons  and  two  negroes  and 
bringing  a  horse  packed  with  corn  and  such  provisions  as  would 
be  needed,  he  returned  to  the  claim  he  had  locate,-  and  c 
crop  that  year. 

Late  in  the  fall  he  returned  again  to  Morganton  and  brought 
back  with  him  his  family.  He  also  took  out  grants  of  land  which 
are  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  of  Burke  County. 
Afterwards  he  located  grants  in  what  is  now  Jackson  County. 
At  his  home  near  where  Turpins  Chapel  is  he  reared  a  family  of 
six  children,  namely,  Shadrick,  Elisha,  Nathan,  Abel,  Alcie,  and 
Airy.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  a  very  devout 
man.  He  built  the  first  Baptist  Church  in  Haywood  County,  a 
structure  built  of  logs  and  situated  near  the  site  of  Turpins  Chapel 
in  the  gap  or  road  that  now  runs  from  the  Hyatt  grove  through  by 
A.  C.  Cagle's  to  the  residence  of  the  late  Captain  John  Turpin. 

One  incident  which  showed  Mr.  Hyatt's  ingenuity  took  place 
as  he  was  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  with  his  family  coming 
to  this  county.  The  hills  were  very  steep  and  he  had  no  brakes  on 
nis  wagon.  To  obviate  trouble  of  that  nature  he  cut  down  a  small 
tree  and  lashed  the  butt  to  his  wagon  and  thus  came  down  in 
safety.  He  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  man  to  bring  a  wagon 
into  Avhat  is  now  Haywood  County. 

Another  incident  is  related  which  showed  Mr.  Hyatt's  kindly 
nature.  When  he  first  came  to  this  county  he  won  the  friendship  of 
the  Indian  hunters  and  warriors  by  his  kindness.  Whenever  they 
came  round,  he  gave  them  something  to  eat  and  invited  them  to  his 
camp.  The  Indians  reciprocated  by  inviting  him  to  hunt  on  their 
hunting  grounds.  When  Hyatt's  family  came  the  Indians  squaws 
came  to  his  home.  Mrs.  Hyatt  treated  them  kindly  and  gave  them 
something  to  eat.    Then  the  warriors  came  and  they  were  fed  also. 

Some  time  afterwards  another  white  man  came  into  the  neigh- 
borhood and  settled  near  Hyatt.  His  wife  was  afraid  of  the  Indian 
squaws  and  would  not  give  them  anything  to  eat.  This  made  the 
Indians  mad  and  they  said  to  Mr.  Hvatt: 


"Hyatt  good  man.  Indiana  like  him.  II--  can  Btay.  Other 
white  man,  he  bad  man.  Won'1  feed  Bqnaws,  musl  Leave  or  [ndiana 
scalp  him." 

It  is  useless  to  Bay  the  other  man  left,  bul  .Mr.  Hyatl  ever  re 
mained  on  the  friendliest  terms  with  the  Cherokees  who  lived  all 
about   him. 

In  1817  Mr.  Hyatl  died  al  the  home  of  Ins Nathan  in  what 

is  now  Jackson  County.     He  was  among  the   very   firsl   to  eome 
wesl  "i  the  Pigeon  River. 


Thomas  Love. 

General  Thomas  Love,  one  of  the  oldesl  and  mosl  highly 
honored  pioneers  of  the  early  days  of  Haywood  County,  was  born 
about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  in  Augusta  County, 
Virginia.  In  Ins  young  manhood  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
;iikI  served  under  Washington. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  Last  Tennessee  and  was  in 
the  Sevier-Tipton   war  when   the  abortive  State  of   Franklin    was 

attempted.     He  came  to  what   is  qow  Hayw I  Comity  aboul   the 

year  1T!)(».     When  Buncombe ;.was  formed  in  1791  he  became  active 
in  the  affairs  of  the  new  county.     In  1797  he  was  elected  as  repre- 
sentative from  Buncombe  to  the  lower  house  ol   the  State  Li 
ture.     He  was  re-elected  in  17!>7  and  for  each  year  thereafter  until 
1808,  when  Haywood  was  created  largely  through  his  efforts. 

From    the    new    county    of    Haywood    General    Love    was    one 

of  the  liist  representatives,  the  other  being  Thomas  Lenoir.    He  was 

:ted  in   1810  and   1811.     tn   ! si  I  he  was  again  elected  to  the 

;.<.ii^e  and  re-elect  d  in  1815.     In  1817  he  was  again  returned 

and   re-elected   in    1818,   1819,  and    182Q.     That    he  made   an   able 

itative   is  conclusively  shown   by   the  number  oi    times  he 

■ 

For  i:ioie  'iian  thirty  years  General  Love  was  a  citizeu  of  Mount 
Prospect  and  Waynesville.  iiis  home  was  in  what  is  now  Way- 
nesville  near  the  ''Brown   house"   back   of  the    McAf ;ottages. 

Later   he    moved    to   Tennessee   where    he   died    aboul     Is-  ''> 


Ninian   Edmonston. 


Among  the  prominent  citizens  who  livedk'antl  died  in  Hayw I 

County  Ninian  Bdmonstou  ranks  high.     For  more  than  fortj   years 


56 

he  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  and  influential  men  in  this  part 
A  North  Carolina.  His  public  life  was,  in  a  considerable  degree, 
notable,  but  his  private  life  was  modest  and  unassuming. 

Mr.  Edmonston  was  born  in  Burke  County,  Oct.  21,  1789.  His 
ancestors  came  from  Maryland  and  settled  among  the  foothills  in 
full  view  of  the  blue  peaks  of  the  Appalachians.  Later,  the  family 
moved  across  the  Blue  Eidge  and  made  a  home  near  the  limpid 
waters  of  the  French  Broad  in  what  is  now  Buncombe  County. 
Here,  in  the  midst  of  the  wildest  mountain  scenery  Ninian  Edmon- 
ston  was   born   two   years   before   Buncombe    became    a    county. 

As  a  boy  he  grew  up  near  to  nature's  heart,  and  imbibed  the 
inspiration  which  only  nature  can  give.  Nothing  is  known  as  to  his 
early  training.  Few  schools  were  in  existence  in  this  mountain 
country  then.  It  is  quite  clear,  however,  that  the  boy  was  well 
taught  and  schooled,  for  his  after  life  displayed  a  well  tutored 
mind.  His  training  was  largely  mathematical,  for  he  exhibited 
more  skill  in  that  subject  than  in  any  other.  He  became  a  surveyor 
early  in  life  and  assisted  at  nineteen  rears  of  age  in  running  the 
line  between  Buncombe  and  Haywood  when  the  latter  county  was 
formed. 

Some  years  previous  to  the  erection  of  Haywood  County  Mr. 
Edmonston 's  father  had  moved  to  the  Pigeon  Valley,  and  as  soon 
as  Haywood  became  a  county  in  December,  1803,  he  became  at 
once  identified  with  her  interests.  When  the  war  of  1812  broke 
out  Ninian  now  grown  to  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  volun- 
teered for  active  service  in  the  field.  It  is  not  known  where  or  in 
what  capacity  he  served,  but  he  came  out  at  the  close  of  the  war 
without  a  wound  and  returned  to  his  home  on  the  west  fork  of 
uigeon  River. 

Mr.  Edmonston,  however,  was  not  allowed  to  spend  his  days 
in  retirement.  He  was  shortly  afterwards  elected  sheriff  of  the 
county,  and  for  four  years  was  the  chief  executive  officer  of  all  the 
country  from  the  western  boundary  of  Buncombe  to  the  Hiawassee 
River.  This  was  an  arduous  task  and  Mr.  Edmonston  declined 
a   third   term. 

In  1821  he  was  elected  to  represent  Haywood  County  in  the 
house  of  Commons  at  Raleigh  on  the  ticket  with  James  R.  Love,  Hay- 
wood having  two  representatives  at  that  time.  At  the  same  time 
Hodge  Rabourne  was  elected  senator  from  this  county.  Rabourne 
had  served  several  terms  before  and  two  afterwards.  At  the  elec- 
tion of  1822  Edmonston  was  not  a  candidate,  but  in  1823  he  was 
again  elected  as  the  colleague  of  James  R.  Love.     Afterwards  he 


:.7 


served  nine  terms  in  the  house  iinri  two  in  the  senate,  closing  his 
Legislat ii >•  career  in  1 836. 

After  retiring  From  political  life  he  was  not  idle.    As  a  sin s^ 

t'ul  farmer  he  lias  left  his  influence  upon  the  county.  He  amassed 
considerable  property,  and.  while  nol  considered  wealthy,  he  was 
well  t<>  do.  His  death  occurred  in  March  L868  well  stricken  in  years 
ami  full  of  honors. 

Mr.  K.lmonston  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  .  Seven 
children  survived  him.  four  sons  ami  three  daughters,  namely: 
Benjamine  P.,  Thomas  B.,  Basil  B..  Rufus  A..  Nancy  A..  Laura  <\. 
ami   Dorothy   1. 


Joseph  Cathey. 

Colonel  Joseph  Cathey.  an  influential  citizen  of  Pigeon  town- 
ship ami  for  many  years  a  leader  in  the  county,  was  horn  March 
12th,  1803  and  died  dune  1st.  1*74.  He  was  a  son  of  William 
Cathey,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  on  Pigeon  River.  His  early  life 
was  spenl   among  the  picturesque  surroundings  of  his  own  home 


58 

and  he  grew  to  manhood  under  the  silent  influences  of  the  beauties 
of  nature. 

His  early  education  was  greatly  neglected  as  schools  in  this 
county  during  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  were  rare. 
He  received,  however,  sufficient  training  in  his  youth  to  put  him  on 
the  road  to  a  full  and  thorough  education  in  his  manhood.  A  con- 
temporary who  wrote  his  obituary  has  the  following  to  say  of 
Colonel  Cathey's  education:  ''In  many  respects  he  was  the  most 
extraordinary  man  the  writer  ever  knew.  He  was  a  man  of  sound 
practical  judgment,  well  versed  in  all  subjects,  and  yet  his  edu- 
cation in  early  life  was  very  deficient.  Few  men,  if  any,  knerr 
so  much  about  all  kinds  of  business  transactions  and  all  industrial 
pursuits  as  he.  He  could  tell  a  country  woman  what  it  would  cost 
her  to  make  a  web  of  cloth;  could  approximate  the  cost  of  a  wagon. 
g  house,  or  a  large  merchant  mill;  and  was  an  excellent  adviser 
about  everything  that  a  neighbor  could  suggest.  He  was  an  excel- 
lent farmer,  merchant,  miller,  trader,  a  good  family  physician,  a 
most  excellent  legislator.  He  was  well  versed  in  the  general  prin- 
ciples of  law,  theology,  medicine,  physics,  and  almost  every  depart- 
ment of  knowledge." 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  from  this  praise  of  him  by  one  who 
knew  him  well  that  he  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability. 
and  that  he  was  a  close  student  of  men  and  matters.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  became  a  leader  among  his  neighbors,  especially  in 
those  things  that  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  mankind.  He  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  was  a  pillar  of 
strength  in  that  denomination  in  the  county  for  a  long  number  of 
years. 

Colonel  Cathey  shrank  from  politics,  but  he  was  chosen  almost 
without  his  consent  to  represent  Haywood  County  in  the  constitu- 
tional convention  of  1885.  There  he  met  with  some  of  the  intellec- 
tual giants  of  the  State — Macon,  Graham,  Gaston,  Badger,  Bragg, 
Reid,  and  others;  but  Cathey  from  Haywood  was  no  little  man 
among  them.  He  was  respected  in  the  convention,  and  though  he 
rarely  spoke  his  opinions  were  listened  to  with  evident  mark  of 
appreciation. 

Again  in  1842  he  was  called  from  the  quirt  of  his  country  life 
to  serve  a  term  in  the  State  Senate.  He  had  not  sought  the  honor, 
hut  it  came  to  him  as  being  the.  one  that  was  preferred  to  many.  In 
the  senate  he  was  the  quiet  statesman  without  vanity  or  desire  to 
exploit  himself,  and  served  his  county  in  a  manner  that  reflected 
honor  upon  himself  and  his  constituents.     Several  times  afterwards 


V.I 

he  w.-is  solicited  to  run  Cor  the  Legislature,  bul  always  declined 
II.-  could  have  secured  the  domination  for  congress  from  this  district, 
hut  In,  tastes  did  nol  Lead  him  thai  way.  He  had  no  aspirations 
for  public  honors,  preferring  to  live  a  quiet,  peaceable  life  and 
follow  those  pursuits  thai  would  is'-\>-  peace  and  comforl  to  his 
family  and  add  t"  the  general  improvemenl  of  his  county. 

When  the  Civil  war  came  on  Colonel  Cathey,  though  too  old 
for  active  service,  was  keenly  alive  to  the  interests  of  the  South 
11. •  was  a  stricl  constructionisl  and  a  secessionisl  after  he  saw  thai 
the  union  could  no1  be  peaceably  maintained.  During  th- 
ill.•  armies  were  in  the  field  contending  for  the  master}  he  was 
ever  ;i  deeply  interested  reader  of  the  papers  and  an  earnesl  sym- 
pathizer with  and  supporter  of  the  boys  in  gray  thai  wenl  to  the 
fronl  from  I  Eaywood  <  lounty. 

After  the  conflicl  was  over  and  the  State  had  been  readmitted 
into  the  union,  it  was  hard  for  him  to  accepl  the  situation,  remain- 
ing an  unreconstructed  rebel  to  the  day  of  his  death.  Be  was  an 
ardenl  admirer  of  our  governmenl  in  its  besl  days,  bu1  during  the 
period  of  reconstruction  he  would  lamenl  thai  it  was  nol  asll  once 
He  did  uol  live  long  enough  to  Bee  the  revival  after  the  flood, 
but  passed  away  fearing  thai  the  besl  days  of  the  republic  had 
gone  by. 

As  ,i  business  man  and  farmer  Colonel  Cathey  was  looked  up 
to  by  his  neighbors;  as  a  legislator  and  citizen  his  opinions  upon 
public  questions  had  weight  with  the  thoughtful;  as  a  man  he  was 
respected  and  admired  by  a  large  number  of  persons.  Be  lived 
a   useful  life,  which  is  still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  men. 

His  drs. -.mi. hints  still  live  among  us  honored  and  respected 
citizens.  William  T.  Blaylock,  presenl  cashier  of  the  Pirsl  National 
Bank  of  Waynesville,  is  one  of  them.  His  mother,  Nancy  Louis. ■ 
c,i::i\  Blaylock.  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Cathey.  Mr.  Blaylock 
was  bom  near  the  presenl  town  of  Canton,  Nov.  15,  1869.  Besides 
h  >ing  ! rained  in  "h.-  school*  of  his  u.  iuhborhood  he  took  a  course  al 
Emory  and  Henry  ( lollege,  Va.  For  six  years  he  was  connected  \\  itli 
the  Bank  of  Waynesville  before  accepting  his  presenl  position.  II. 
is  prominenl  in  Masonic  circles  and  presidenl  of  the  Waynesville 
Club. 

Besides  Mr.  Blaylock  there  ai ther  BMmban  of  the  family 

that  occupied   places  of  trust,  and  hold  the  esteen  ot*  those  who 
know  them. 


60 

James  Robert  Love. 

James  Robert  Love,  son  of  Colonel  Robert  Love  and  Mary 
Ann  Dillard  Love,  was  born  in  the  month  of  November,  1798. 
His  father  was,  at  the  time,  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Buncombe 
County,  having  served  three  terms  in  the  house  of  commons  as  one 
01  the  members  from  Buncombe. 

As  a  boy  James  Robert  played  along  the  banks  of  Richland 
Creek  and  hunted  in  the  mountains  near  by.  He  was  taught  the 
rudiments  of  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic  in  the  elementary 
schools  of  that  time,  and  later  was  sent  to  complete  his  education 
at  Greenville,  Tenn.  He  was  an  apt  scholar,  for  at  an  early  age  m> 
showed  depth  of  thought  which  marked  him  through  life. 

Before  reaching  his  majority  he  became  interested  with  his 
father  in  the  purchase  of  mountain  lands.  Large  entries  were  male 
both  in  western  North  Carolina  and  East  Tennessee,  which  laid  the 
foundation  of  the  immense  Love  estate  which  exists  until  the 
present. 

Soon  after  reaching  his  twenty-first  year  Mr.  Love  found  him- 
self drifting  into  politics.  He  had  no  love  for  public  life,  but  his  ex- 
cellent qualities  as  a  ready  speaker  and  his  good  judgment 
brought  him  into  prominence.  In  1821,  when  he  was  just  t>\  .  nty- 
thre.  years  of  age,  he  was  elected  as  one  of  the  members  from 
Haywood  to  the  house  of  Commons.  His  colleague  id  the  house 
that  year  was  Colonel  Edmonston  and  in  tin-  Senate  Hodge 
Rabourne.  Mr.  Love  was  re-elected  in  1822.  1823.  1824,  1825,  1826 
and  1827.  the  elections  then  occurring  annually.  He  was  again 
elected  in  1829  and  1830,  serving  again  with  Ninian  Edmonston  as 
his  colleague.  William  Welch  was  then  serving  in  the  senate  from 
this  county. 

As  a  legislator  Mr.  Love  was  faithful  and  energetic.  He  became 
well  known  among  the  lawmakers  and  the  officials  of  the  State. 
His  services  were  eminently  satisfactory  to  his  constituency,  who 
sought  to  continue  him  in  the  position  longer  but  he  declined. 

While  a  member  of  the  Legislature  he  met  and  married  Miss 
Maria  Williamson  Coman.  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  lady  of  Ral- 
eigh This  union  was  signally  blessed.  Four  sons  and  four  daughters 
were  born.  The  eldest  son,  James  Coman,  was  a  contractor  on 
the  East  Tennessee  and  Virginia  railroad  in  1851  when  the  scourge  of 
cholera  visited  Greenville  where  he  was  stationed.  He  was  taken  with 
the  disease  and  died,  Oct.  18th,  of  that  year.  The  other  sons,  Colonel 
R.  G.  A.  Love,  Dr.  S.  L.  Love,  and  Capt,  M.  H.  Love,  lived  to  make 
names  for  themselves,   but   have   since   passed   away.     The   eldest 


61 

laughter,  Sarah  Jane  Burney,  married  Colonel  William  II.  Thomaa 
and  died  April  17th,  1877.  The  other  three  daughters  Margaret 
Elizabeth  married  Dr.  W.  L.  Billiard,  of  Asheville,  Mar)  Josephine 
married  Joseph  A.  Branner,  of  Jefferson  City,  Tenn.,  and  Maria 
Malvine,  wife  of  Colonel  W.  W.  Stringfield    are  still  living. 

Mi-  [jove  was  much  interested  in  railroad  building  and  anx- 
iously looked  forward  bo  the  coming  of  the  iron  horse  to  Waynes- 
vill.\  He  even  predicted  the  coming  of  the  road,  gave  rights  of  way 
through  his  land  and  the  site  where  the  first  depot  was  built,  and 
left  provision  in  his  will  that  each  of  his  children  should  have  a 
l„t  adjacent  to  the  depot.  He  died  Nov.  22,  1863,  while  the  greal 
war  was  raging  and  twenty  years  before  the  railroad,  which  he 
Fondly  Imped   for,  was  built 

In  his  life-time  Mr.  Love  was  noted  for  Ins  kindness  of  heart, 

especially  to  the  poor  and  friendless.     Perhaps  no  mi E  his  time 

did  more  than  he  in  relieving  distress  and  in  forwarding  the  mater- 
ial development   of  the  county. 


William  Welch. 


Among  the  earliest  Bettlers  on  Richland  Creek  was  John  Welch, 
who  mad.-  entries  of  land  before  the  organization  of  the  county.  He 
was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Buncombe  County,  and  after  Way- 
nesville  was  erected  he  at  once  became  a  leader  in  the  new  county. 

In   1809  he   was  elected  the  first  senator   from    Kayw 1   to   the 

General   Assembly  of  North  Carolina  and  re-elected   in   lsl".     He 

was   oi f   the   wealthiest    and    most    influential    citizens   of   the 

county  at  that  time. 

William  Welch,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  sun  ••!'  John 
Welch  and  Dorcas  Dillard  Welch.  He  was  horn  April  8th,  1796. 
Nothing  is  known  of  the  early  educational  advantages  of  the  boy; 
but  he  must  have  1 □  well  educated,  for  specimens  of  his  hand- 
writing show  that  he  was  well  trained.  The  large  business,  also. 
which  he  afterwards  carried  on,  displayed  a  knowledge  Of  men  and 
matters,  which  comes  only  by  good  training. 

Soon  after  reaching  his  twenty-first  year.  Mr.  Welch  went  on 
a  prospecting  trip  to  Missouri,  where  he  remained  for  about  two 
pears,  getting  hack  in  1820.    After  returning  to  his  natrv nnty  he 

married  Miss  Martha  Love,  but  she  died  within  a  year.  He  after- 
wards married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Love,  sister  of  his  former  wife. 
From   this  union  there  were  ten   ehildren.   namely:   Robert    V..   Mar- 


62 

tha  Elizabeth  who  married  Benjamin  J.  Johnson  and  was  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  B.  J.  Sloan  of  Waynesville  and  Mrs.  Alford  of  Georgia, 
John  H..  Weston  R..  Thaddens  D..  Mary  Louise  who  married  Cap- 
tain AY.  N.  Freeman  and  moved  to  Texas.  James  L..  William  P., 
Joseph  N.  who  as  captain  of  his  company  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Piedmont  in  the  Civil  war.  and  Lucius  Marcellus  the  youngest 
who   is   the   only   one   still   living. 

Mr.  Welch  was  not  fond  of  politics,  but  he  was  chosen  as  sena- 
tor from  Haywood  County  in  1829,  and  re-elected  in  1830.  He  was 
also  a  member,  with  Joseph  Cathey.  of  the  constitutional  conven- 
tion of  1835.  Besides  being  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly 
he  was  for  a  long  time  clerk  of  the  court,  and  an  influential  citizen. 

Fo*r  a.  long  time  Mr.  Welch  was  a  merchant  in  Waynesville 
and  a  hotelist.  At  the  same  time  he  carried  on  extensive  farming 
operations,  by  which  means  he  succeeded  in  amassing  a  considerable 
fortune. 

When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  was  too  enfeebled  by  age  to 
go  to  the  frdnt,  but  he  sent  his  boys,  and  they  became  gallant  and 
patriotic  soldiers.  Mr.  Welch  was  a  close  student  of  affairs  during 
the  four  years  of  strife  and  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  justice  of 
Southern  cause.  He  watched  the  reports  of  the  battles  and  marches 
with  keen  interest,  and  was  steadfast  in  his  faith  in  the  righteous- 
ness  of   the    contention   of   the   South. 

On  Feb.  6.  1865.  while  Colonel  Kirk  was  making  one  of  his 
raids  through  the  county.  Mr.  Welch,  who  had  been  in  poor  health 
for  a  long  time,  sank  under  the  disease  and  died.  His  body  rests 
in  Green  Hill  Cemeterv. 


William  H.  Thomas. 


Colonel  William  Holland  Thomas  was  born  on  Pigeon  River, 
near  Sonoma,  in  Haywood  County.  Feb.  5.  1805.  He  was  the  son 
of  Richard  Thomas,  who  came  from  Virginia  in  180:{.  and  Temper- 
ance Calvert,  a  descendant  of  the  brother  of  Lord  Baltimore.  Soon 
after  their  marriage  the  couple  came  to  North  Carolina  and  settled 
in  the  beautiful  and  fertile  Pigeon  valley  and  began  to  build  a  home 
for  themselves  and  their  children. 

In  lsiio.  a  short  time  before  the  birth  of  Colonel  Thomas, 
Richard  Thomas  was  drowned  in  the  Pigeon  River,  thus  leaving  a 
widow  with  a  child  unborn.  The  mother  was,  however,  a  woman 
of  unusually  sound  judgment  and  so  raised  the  boy.  training  him 


I 


herself  largely    in  the  elements  of  a  good  education. 

Thrown  upon  In.  resources  earlj  in  life  the  boj  turned  Ins 
attention  to  a  business  career,  h.  L820,  wb,en  be  was  just  fifteen 
jrearsof  age,  he  was  employed  bj  Felis  Walker  as  clerk  in  a  store 
at  Quallatown.  [1  was  agreed  thai  he  would  work  for  three  years 
for  his  board  and  clothes  and  one  hundred  dollars  in  money.  At 
tlu.  ,.M(|  0f  the  three  years  Thomas  received  Mr.  Walker's  old  Law 
books  as  pay.  Be,  however,  go1  the  good  will  of  Walker's  custom- 
ers which  was  worth  much  to  him.  Succeeding,  in  a  year  or  two, 
to  Mr.  Walker's  business  position,  upon  the  latter's  removal  to 
Mississippi,  he  launched  oul  upon  his  career  as  a  business  man.  He 
pui  „,,  BeveraJ  stores  a1  differenl  points  in  whal  is  now  Jackson 
and  Cherokee  Counties. 

While  ye1  in  his  teens  and  while  he  was  a  clerk  in  Felix 
Walker's  store  al  Quallatown,  Thomas  became  a  favorite  of  the 
[ndian  Chief  Sonaguska,  who  was  the  head  of  the  Cherokee  tribe 
living  al  Quallatown  near  where  Thomas  was  clerking.  Sons, 
guska  was  a  frequenl  visitor  to  the  store  and  became  very  friendly 
to  roung  Thomas.  A  little  later  Xonaguska  had'the  Indian  Council 
al  Qualla  to  adopl  Thomas  as  a  member  of  the  tribe,  and  made  a 
statemem  thai  he  wished  the  white  brother  to  Bucceed  him  al  Ins 
death  The  old  chief  died  in  1836,  and,  in  accordance  with  Ins 
expressed  wish.  Mr.  Thomas  was  chosen  chief  and  continued  in  that 
position  for  many  years. 

Prom  1836  to  1848  Mr.  Thomas  spenl  much  time  in  Washington 
City,  being  called  there  in  the  interesl  of  the  Indians,  over  win. in  he 
now  exercised  control  and  in  whom  be  was  deeply  interested.  There 
was  much  litigation  between  the  Cherqkees  and  the  government 
growing  ou1  of  land  claims  and  Mr.  Thomas  was  constantly  em- 
ployed in  taking  care  of  the  interests  of  the  tribe.  In  Ins  frequent 
visit,  to  the  Capital  City  he  was  always  courteously  received  by  the 
presidents,  especially  by  Andrew  Jackson,  who  was  an  admirer  oi 
M,.  Thomas.  Dunn-  .-ill  tins  time  thai  the  white  chief  was  looking 
after  the  interests  of  the  red  men,  his  own  business  was  aol   neg- 

l      nis  business  leurisht  I  an  I  he  soon  became  a  man 

of  wealth  as  well  as  influence. 

When  Jackson  Counts  was  formeJ  in  1850  Mr.  Thomas  was 
chosen  to  the  State  Senate  and  Berved  in  thai  capacity  until  1862. 
He  was  also  a  delegate  from  Jackson  County  to  the  Secession  Con- 
vention of  1861,  and  Bigoted  the  ordinance  that  severed  the  relation 
existing  between  North  Carolina  and  the  other  States  of  the  union. 

Although   Mr   Thomas  was  uow  in  Ins  fifty-seventh  year  and 


Si 

beyond  the  age  for  active  military  service  he  was  authorized  by 
President  Jefferson  Davis,  with  whom  he  was  well  acquainted,  to 
raise  a  regiment  for  the  Confederate  service.  Thomas  spared 
neither  time  nor  money  to  equip  a  regiment  that  would  compare 
with  the  best  in  the  service.  The  command  was  mustered  into  ser- 
vice at  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  in  the  summer  of  1862,  and  contained 
fourteen  companies  of  white  infautry  from  the  counties  of  western 
North  Carolina  and  a  few  from  East  Tennessee,  four  of  Cherokee 
Indians  who  were  true  to  Thomas,  four  of  Cavalry,  one  of  engineers, 
and  one  of  artillery.  The  regiment  was  known  on  the  official  roster 
as  the  sixty-ninth  North  Carolina,  but  was  known  as  "Thomas's 
Legion,"  as  he  was  elected  Colonel  and  put  in  command.     James 

1.   Love,    of  Jackson   County,    was   chosen   lieutenant-colonel   and 

V.  W,  Stringfield.  of  Strawberry  Plains,  Tenn.,  was  elected  Major. 
Soon    after    its    organization    the   regiment    was     ordered    to 

Virginia  and,  under  the  command  of  Love  and  Stringfield,  partici- 
pated in  many  of  the  great  battles  in  that  State.  Colonel  Thomas 
did  not  go  with  the  regiment,  but  with  a  part  of  the  command  re-. 
mained  in  western  North  Carolina  to  protect  this  territory  from  the 
inroads  of  the  Federals.  During  the  whole  period  of  the  war  he  was 
the  soul  of  the  Confederate  government  in  the  western  counties 
and  was  trusted  and  beloved  by  President  Davis  and  other  leaders. 
As  already  related,  he  was  present  at  the  last  battle  at  the  Sul- 
phur Springs  on  May  7,  1865  and  forced  Colonel  Barltett  to  terms  of 
surrender  on  May  10th,  after  which  his  legion  then  united  was  dis- 
banded, and  he  returned  to  his  business  relations. 

After  the  war  Colonel  Thomas  turned  his  attention  to  the  task 
of  securing  good  roads  for  the  county  south  of  the  Pigeon  River. 
By  legislative  enactment  he  had  turnpike  roads  built  in  different 
sections  of  the  counties  on  which  his  influence  was  exerted. 

Perhaps  his  greatest  achievement  was  in  forcing,  while  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Legislature  from  Jackson  County  during  the 
seventies,  the  adoption  of  an  amendment  to  the  charier  of  the  North 
Carolina  railroad  to  extend  the  road  to  Ducktown.  The  proposition 
vas  bitterly  fought,  but  Colonel  Thomas  stuck  to  his  text  and  finally 

ucceeded  in  seeing  the  amendment  carried  by  a  decisive  majority. 
Thai  amendment  borught  about  the  building  of  the  Murphy  branch. 
Colonel  Thomas  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Love, 
eldest  daughter  of  Colonel  James  R.  Love  and  a  grand-daughter 
of  Colonel  Robert  Love.  His  home  was  in  Jackson  County  on  the 
Tuckaseigee  River,  on  the  spot  where  General  Rutherford  routed 
the  Cherokees  in  battle  in  1776.     He  left  three  children,  William 


I 


11..  Jr.,  who  lives  in  .larks.. ii  County,  Jas.  K.  who  is  b  residenl  of 
\Va\  nrs\ - ■  1 1 •  - _  and  Sallie  Love  who  is  i h<-  wife  of  Judge  A.  C  .Avery, 
..I   Morganton. 


William  Kicks. 

Rev.  William  Hicks,  while  not  a  native  of  Haywooil  County, 
Bpenl  an  important  portion  of  h>s  life  here  and,  therefore,  deserves 
mention.  He  was  born,  aboul  L820,  in  Sullivan  County,  Tennessee. 
mar  the  pres<  nt   town  «>t    Union.     Not   much   h  is  been   learned  of 

his  ancestors,  hut  it  is  quite  certain  that  they  were  among  the  back- 
woodsmen of  1781  that  assembled  againsl  Ferguson  at  Sycamore 
Shoals  and  dislodged  him  from  his  fortified  position  .it  Kings 
fountain, 

Mr.    Hicks,    when    a    hoy.    went    to    the    country    schools   of    Mast 

Tennessee  and  rapidly  displayed  ihe  talent  for  learning  and  public 
Bpeaking  which  he  afterwards  exhibited  to  such  a  marked  degrr  e. 
tie  also  attended  a  session  or  two  at  Emory  and  Henry  College, 
Virariiua,  and  imbibed  freely  of  the  college  spirit  and  also  ol  thai 
learning  which  served  him  in  Buch  good  stead  later  in  life,  lie  bo- 
came    a    Methodist     preacher    and    served     some     churches    in     Kast 

Tennessee  in  the  forties. 

',  Being    appointed    presiding    elder   of    the    Asheville    distvH 

of  the  Ilolston  conference,  Mr.  Hicks  resided  during  Ins 
term   of  office   in    Asheville.      lie   first    came   to   this  county    in    1848. 

In  that  year  he  held  quarterly  conference  at   Bethel,  the  firsl   be 

held    in    this    county.      There    he    met    with    many    of    the    Haywood 

County    people   and    formed   a    most    favorable    impression    of   the 

county  and  the  people.  He  was  the  presiding  elder  of  this  district 
four  years.  After  retiring  from  that  position  he  edited  a  religious 
newspaper  in   Asheville.  "The  Herald  id'  Truth."  for  a   few  years. 

Aboul  1855  Mr.  Hicks  and  Rev.  -I.  K.  Long  buil1  a  large  school 
building  near  the  mouth  of  Richland  ami  Raccoon  Creeks  and 
gave  it  the  name  of  Tuscola.  Although  the  school  has  long  since 
passed  away  the  name  yet  remains.  The  school  thus  established  here 
flourished  until  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war.  when  it.  along  with 
many  other  enterprises,  closed. 

Mr.  Hicks  was  ;i  Btrong  Whig  in  politics  and  a  union  man  as 
long   as  such    principles   could    he   honorably    maintained,    hut    when 

he  saw  that  the  union  could  nol  he  maintained  he  became  a  secession 
democrat.     He  was  elected  to  represent   Hayw I  County   in  the 


66 

memorable  convention  of  1861  and  signed  the  ordinance  of  secession. 
His  ready  eloquence  and  commanding  ability  won  him  recognition 
in  that  convention  of  giants.  He  believed  in  secession,  but  did  not 
believe  that  the  withdrawal  of  the  Southern  States  from  the  union 
necessarily  meant  war.  He  believed  that  the  Southern  States  would 
be  allowed  to  depart  in  peace,  and  often  said  on  the  stump  that  all 
the  blood  that  would  be  shed  in  the  conflict  could  be  wiped  up 
with  a  linen  handkerchief. 

He  enlisted  in  the  16~i  North  Carolina  regiment  as  Chaplain 
and  served  in  that  capacity  for  a  year  when  he  resigned  and  re- 
turned to  this  county,  resuming  his  duties  as  teacher  and  preacher. 
After  the  war  he  moved  to  Webster,  Jackson  County,  and  taught 
there  for  two  years.  In  1868  he  was  appointed  presiding  elder  with 
headquarters  at  Hendersonville  and  served  four  years. 

After  this  second  term  was  out  he  moved  back  to  Webster  in 
1873  and  resumed  his  school.  Later  he  moved  to  Quallatown  and 
taught  until  he  was  appointed  to  a  district  in  West  Virginia  about 
1877  and  there  died. 

Captain  James  W.  Terrell,  of  Webster,  who  knew  Mr.  Hicks, 
has  the  following  to  say  of  his  eloquence  as  a  public  speaker: 
' '  Permit  me  further  to  add  that  while  a  good  deal  of  his  personality 
may  be  gathered  from  what  I  have  hurriedly  written,  I  have  failed 
to  fully  express  his  main  predominating  quality  as  a  public  speaker. 
With  his  .fine  gestures,  graceful  position,  blazing  black  eyes,  elegant 
and  faultless  posture  a  little  above  the  common  size  and  height, 
and  the  trumpet  tones  of  his  sonorous  voice  he  was  the  model  of 
gracefulness  in  the  pulpit  as  on  the  platform,  and  when  the  spirit 
was  fully  on  him  I  have  never  heard  his  eloquence  surpassed." 


Samuel  Leonidas  Love. 

Haywccd  County,  throughout  her  history,  has  had  only  two 
men  to  he  elected  to  a  State  office,  One  of  these  was  Dr.  Samuel 
L.  Love,  who  was  bora  August  25th.  1828  and  died  July  7th. 
1887,  his  entire  life  being  spent  within  the  county  and  for  the  most 
part  in  his  native  town  of  Waynesvillo.  He  was  the  son  of  James 
R.  Love  and  Maria  Williamson  Coman  Love. 

In  early  life  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  where 
he  was  partly  prepared  for  college.  He  afterwards  attended  a 
session  or  two  at   Washington  College,  Tennessee.     Later,   he   at- 


H7 

tended  lectures  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  where  lie  re- 
ceived his  diploma  as  .1  graduate  in  medicine. 

Local iiiLp  iii  Waynesville  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  he 

Boon  won  recognition  and  I ame  a  leading  physician  and  citizen. 

He   made   Friends   rapidly,   and   speedily   l ame  oi f   the   mosl 

popular  men  in  the  county.     While  having  a  g I  practice  he  was 

led  into  politics  in  1856;  and  thai  year  was  elected  to  the  lower 
branch  of  the  State  Legislature  and  re-elected  in  1858,  I860,  1862, 
;iikI  1864.  His  services  in  the  Legislature  occupied  the  entire 
period  of  the  agitation  leading  up  to  the  war  between  the  States 
;mk1  during  the  continuance  oi    thai   struggle. 

In  addition  to  his  duties  in  ili«'  General  Assembly  he  was  ap 
pointed  in  1861  by  Governor  Ellis  as  surgeon  on  the  staff  of  the 
chief  executive,  t<>  which  pnsiiinn  he  was  reappointed  by  Governor 
Vance  in  1862.  He  served  in  thai  capacity  throughoul  the  war, 
and  was  a  mosl  valuable  man  in  thai  trying  and  importanl  depart- 
ment oi  public  service. 

After  the  •■  ar  Dr.  Love  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

He  was  successful  in  building  up  ;i  verj  large  practice  for  ;i  try 

physician.*  His  talents,  however,  were  ool  allowed  to  !>«■  bestowed 
entirely  upon  medicine.     In  Is".")  when  the  county  was  called  upon 

to  Bend  ;i  man  to  H onstitutional  convention  a1  Raleigh,  th< 

of  the  county  turned  toward  Dr.  Love  and  he  was  elected  to  thai 
important  body. 

As  a  member  of  thai  convention  I>r.  Love  made  a  record  thai 

the  county  was  proud  of.    lie  was  always  found  u] the  safe  m<I<- 

oi  the  numerous  questions  thai  came  up  t'«»r  decision.  His  judgmenl 
was  relied  upon  by  his  colleagues  "f  both  political  parties,  ;ni<l 
whenever  he  spoke  his  words  were  listened  \<>  with  respeel  and 
confidence.  In  thai  convention  he  made  a  reputation  thai  broughl 
to  him  the  nomination  for  st;ii«'  Auditor  the  m-Nt  year  on  the 
tickel  with  Zebulan  B.  Vance. 

In  the  memorable  campaign  of  1S7<;  \)v.  Love,  being  on 
tin-  ticket,  took  an  active  interest.  He  was  energetic  in  Ins  corres- 
pondence and  other  campaign  endeavors.  When  the  votes  were 
counted  it  was  found  that  he  was  elected  by  ;i  larger  majority  than 
any  other  member  of  the  ticket,  getting  more  votes  than  Vance 
himself.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  of  State  Auditor 
Jan.  1.  L877  and  served  until  his  term  of  office  expired  Jan.  l.  1881 

Returning  to  Waynesville  he  retired  to  private  lit-'-  and  con- 
tinued i"  hold  the  respeel  and  confidence  of  the  people  until  his 
death  in   1887.     II.-  lefl  thr shildren,  Margaret   Elizabeth,  Maria 


68 

Williamson,  and  Robert  Gustavus  Adolphus.  The  first  is  now  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Marshall,  of  Philadelphia,  the  second  died  in  young  girlhood, 
and  the  third  is  now  chief  of  police  of  Waynesville. 

Dr.  Love  was  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Rachel 
Boyd  and  his  second  was  Miss  Margaret  Harrison.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  communicant  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 


Robert  Gustavus  Adolphus  Love. 

Colonel  Robert  G.  A.  Love,  son  of  James  R.  and  Maria  W.  Love, 
was  born  in  Waynesville  Jan.  4.  1827.  and  died  May  24.  1880.  He 
was  a  grallant  Confederate  officer,  well  beloved  by  the  men  who 
served  under  him  and  praised  and  honored  by  the  officers  who  held 
positions  ever  him. 

In  youth  Colonel  Love  had  the  meagre  advantages  of  an  educa- 
tion that  the  times  afforded.  He  was  schooled  in  the  rudiments  of 
English  .with  some  mathematics  and  science  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  town.  He  was  then  sent  to  Washington  College,  Tenn..  where 
he  took  rank  as  a  student.  Completing  his  course  there  before  he 
was  twenty  years  old  he  returned  to  Waynesville  and  at  once  be- 
came active  in  the  political  affairs  of  Haywood  County. 

When  he  was  barely  twenty-one  he  was  nominated  and  elected 
to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature  and,  though  but  a  boy, 
ably  represented  in  that  body  the  interests  of  his  constituents.  He 
was  Haywood's  only  representative  that  year.  Colonel  William  H. 
Thomas  being  in  the  Senate  but  elected  by  Haywood,  Henderson, 
and  Jackson  as  one  senatorial  district.  Mr.  Love  was  re-elected  in 
1850,  1852,  and  1854,  retiring  from  office  at  the  end  of  that  time 
but  not  from  an  active  participation  in  everything  that  pertained 
to  the  upbuilding  of  the  county  and  town. 

In  1858  he  was  chosen  Colonel  of  the  militia  of  Haywood 
County  and  often  drilled  the  companies  that  assembled  on  the  green 
in  that  part  of  Waynesville  that  was  located  between  where  the 
Temple  lot  is  now  and  the  present  site  of  Bishop  Atkins,  residence. 
Colonel  Love  was  a  very  handsome  man,  and  on  all  occasions  acted 
the  real  soldier  as  be  was. 

Wben  North  Carolina  seceded  in  1861  Colonel  Love  ardently 
embraced  the  cause  of  the  South.  He  early  directed  his  energies 
toward  enlisting  trained  troops  for  the  Confederate  service,  and  was 
honored  by  being  elected  Captain  of  the  first  company  that  went  out 


60 

from  Haywood  County.  He  had  not  been  in  the  Bervice  long  before 
Ins  splendid  ability  as  a  tactician  was  recognized,  and  be  waa 
choaeD  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  sixteenth  regimenl  of  North  Caro- 
lina troopa.  In  ili.it  capacity  be  proved  bimaelf  a  brave  and  gallanl 
Boldier.  He  waa  in  Borne  of  the  bardeal  foughl  battles  in  Virginia 
and  Btood  the  rigors  of  the  campaign  of  1861  with  calm  determi- 
nation. 

His  health  gave  way,  however,  in  the  winter  of  1861-62  and  he 
waa  obliged  to  resign  his  commission.  Coming  home  he  I »<  lt.-i 1 1  to 
recuperate  and,  with  the  soldier  instinct  in  him  he  could  ool  be 
content.  Before  he  was  fully  recovered  he  set  aboul  raising  another 
regimenl  for  the  Bervice.  He  waa  successful  in  getting  together  a 
i  oi  men  from  this  and  adjoining  counties  and  at  once  organ 
i/.i-.l  them  into  tin-  sixty-second  regi oi  with  himself  as  colonel. 

This  r<  gimenl  did  splendid  Bervice  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee, 
being  accounted  one  of  the  besl  equipped  in  the  Bervice.  Colonel 
Love,  however,  was  unequal  physically  to  undergo  the  hardships  of 
camp  life.  When  the  war  was  over  he  returned  home  broken  in 
health  and  disabled.  He  aever  recovered.  His  life,  however,  was 
prolonged  until  1880,  but  he  never  engaged  further  into  active  life. 

Colonel  Love  was  uever  married.  His  body  rests  in  Green  Hill 
cemetery. 


Francis  M.  Davis. 

Francis  ffcGee  Davis,  boh  of  Philip  Davis  and  Margarel  McGee, 
was  born  in  Fines  Creek  township,  Augusl  15,  1825,  and  died 
August  1-Jth.  1!>ii:{.  lacking  one  day  of  rounding  out  seventy-eight 
years.  !ii>  ancestors  were  among  the  courageous  pioneers  who  first 
brought  civilization  to  these  mountain  coves.  His  grand  father 
Davis  was  with  John  Sevier  a1  the  battle  of  Bangs  .Mountain  and 
with  Genera]  Green  at  Guilford  Courthouse.  After  the  close  of  the 
Revolution  he  settled  in  this  part  of  North  Carolina  and  began  to 
build  ;i  home,  and  reared  a  large  family. 

Prank  Davis,  as  he  was  called,  was  horn  and  reared  in  a  neigh- 
borhood   famed    for    its    lovely    scenery    and    thrifty    people.       Winn 

eight  years  old  he  was  senl  to  Bchool,  but  his  school-days,  at  that 

time,  lasted  only  two  months.      At   that   early   age    he    displayed 
decided  talent,  but  his  advantages  were  cut  short.     He  was  a  boy 

on   the   farm    until    he   was  eighteen    when    he   again    Lrot    a    chance   to 
gO   to  school   and    went    three   months.      It    may    he   he  supposed   that 


70 

during  that  brief  time  he  learned  more  than  the  average  boy  does. 
At  twenty  years  of  age  he  again  had  the  opportunity  of  attending 
school  two  and  a  half  months,  making  his  entire  school  life  seven 
and  a  half  months. 

On  Oct.  21,  1817,  he  married  Angeline  Ferguson  and  began 
u-v.-i.ive  life  as  a  farmer  in  what  is  now  Iron  Duff  township.  He  soon 
became  a  leader  among  his  neighbors  in  everything  that  looked 
toward  the  improvement  of  farm  life.  He  was  a  believer  in  fine 
stock  and  spared  no  effort  to  improve  the  breed  of  cattle  upon  his 
place.  By  good  judgment  and  the  skill  which,  as  a  thoughtful 
farmer,  he  always  displayed,  he  won  success  and  accumulated  con- 
siderable property,  while  not  wealthy  yet  in  easy  circumstances. 

During  the  Civil  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  home  guards  and 
performed  military  service  in  protecting  the  county  from  the  rav- 
ages of  the  bushwhackers.  Immediately  after  the  war  he  was 
solicited  to  become  a  candidate  for  sheriff.  He  consented  and  was 
elected,  holding  that  position  during  1866  and  1867. 

In  1874  he  became  a  candidate  for  the  State  Legislature  and 
was  elected,  being  re-elected  in  1876,  1878,  and  in  1880.  About  him 
as  a  political  leader  Judge  G.  S.  Ferguson  has  this  to  say:  "In  the 
campaigns  which  he  made  for  the  legislature,  as  well  as  many  he 
made  for  his  party  when  he  was  not  a  candidate,  he  proved  himself 
to  be  a  master  of  political  debate,  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
principles  of  government,  the  policies  of  his  party  and  the  needs 
of  the  people.  As  a  legislator  he  was  careful  to  look  after  the  local 
interests  of  his  immediate  constituents  and  attentive  to  general 
legislation.  Conservative  and  wise,  his  counsel  was  sought  and 
opinions  listened  to  with  respect  by  the  ablest  men  of  the  State. 
He  was  not  a  man  of  extensive  vocabulary  but  he  understood  the 
meaning  of  the  words  he  used,  selected  them  Well,  talked  to  the 
point,  and  was  one  of  the  most,  if  not  most,  effective  public  speakers 
Haywood  County  has  produced." 

"Sir.  Davis  was  an  active  mason.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  South.  His  influence  was  always  exerted  on  the  side 
of  the  highest  type  of  morality  and  Christian  virtue.  He  was 
temperate  in  all  his  habits,  not  even  using  tobacco.  He  regarded 
both  the  use  of  tobacco  and  intoxicating  liquors  as  an  evil  and 
advised  against  both.  He  was  a  prohibitionist  from  principle.  In 
the  prohibition  campaign  of  1881  he  took  the  stump  for  the  measure 
and  was  largely  instrumental  in  enrolling  Haywood  as  one  of  the 
six  counties  to  give  a  prohibition  victory  that  year. 

Of  his  thirteen  children  nine  are  living.    One  daughter,  Lorena, 


71 

i8  the  wido*  of  the  late  Captain  AT    Rogers.     Eight  sons,  .  v  J. 
S.virs.D.viaiE/R.D.via.T.JD.VU.^C.Dav^DrP^ 

D.vi^and   Dr.  J.  C    Davie,  are  useful  e.t>sens  servmg  well  theii 

(|;i\  ;ni<l  irenerat  ion.  ,  . . . 

'    Mr    Davis  was  a  man  of  w lerful  indnatrj   and  energy     H» 

J^wd stmarveions.    Kewas.bleto. »»„,■«, 

,„,,,;, nappe I  long  ago,  and  tr.dit.on, «*-*£* 

were  handed  down  tb  hi, treasured  np  and  was  able  to  retell 

with  astonishing  minuteness. 

James  Montraville  Moody. 

Hay* I  Count;   Has  had  three  me represent  the^Aah e yiUe 

district  in  the  National  Congress.    The  first  was  Felix  Wker,  £o 

Jm  in  the  sixteenth,  seventeenth,  and  eighteenth greases.     1  h- 

A,   „  .1.  M.  II ly,  who  served  in  the  fifty-seventh  p 

T,,:., !ls1   isthe  present   ...emlifc.W.*^*^^^^ 
four  terms  and  has  been  nominated  for  the  fifty. 

James  MontraviUe  M ly,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 

,,,,,    l2   1858  in  Cherokee  County    While  ye1  an  infan    his  parents 

LedloHayw I  County  and  settled  on  Jonathan's  Creek,  where 

he  L  „ew  np.     He  attended  the  oeighborh I  schools  and  go1 

such  training  as  they  Od  supply.    He  was  naturally  a  pi .ous 

boy  ^  was  ambitious  to  become  a  leading  Lawyer 

"     \,  the  , £  seventeen  he  eame  to  Waynesville  and  beg 

Lrseofstudj   a1  the  WaynesviUe  andoj.    There  he  remained 

tw0  years  under  the  tutelage  of  Mr.  John  K.B »,  wh o  was  at  the 

time  principal  of  the  school.     M Ly  was  an.  ap1  scholar   and  did 

himself  credit  as  a  student.  After  finishing  his  course  there  he 
then  went  to  the  Collegiate  institute  at  Candler  in  Buncombe  County, 

where  he  remained  for  more  than  a  year. 

Coming  t0  Waynesville  he  studied  Law,  s1 1  the  examination 

Eor  license,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1881.    For  five  years  he 

was  an  earnesl   studenl   of  the  Law,  and   became  oi I    the  best 

read  lasers  at  the  Hayw I  County  bar.     b  1886  he  was  nomi- 

oatedbythe  Republicans  for  the  position  of  solicitor  oi  the  twelfth 
judicial  district,  defeating  Judge  G.  S.  Ferguson,  who  was  the  Dem- 
ocratic  candidate.     He  served  in  this  capacity  four  years  ..,.1  dis- 

,.,,.,, i  the  duties  of  the  office  in  an  entirely  satisfactory  manner. 

I„  iv. I  .Mr.  Muu.lv  was  elected  to  the  Benate  from  the  thirty- 

Eonrth  senatorial   district,   the  district    il.-..   containing   Hayw I. 

Bnncombe  and  Madison  Counties.  He  proved  to  1-  an  able  repre- 
sentative,  ever  on  the  alert  for  the  interests  of  his  county  and 
diatrict.    He  served  for  two  years  ••<-  senator. 


72 


February  15th,  1898  the  whole  county  became  excited  and 
aroused  over  the  destruction  of  the  battleship  Maine  in  Havanna 
harbor  supposedly  by  Spanish  hands.  That  catastrophe  brought  on 
the  Spanish-American  war.  though  knowledge  of  the  cause  was 
stoutly  denied  by  the  Spanish  government.  Moody  was  one  of  the 
first  from  North  Carolina  to  volunteer  for  the  war.  He  was  ap- 
pointed major  and  chief  commissary  of  United  States  Volunteers 
and  served  on  the  staff  of  Major-General  J.  Warren  Keifer,  who  com- 
manded the  First  Division  of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps.  As  an  officer 
Major  Moody  was  diligent  and  careful  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

Resigning  his  position  in  the  United  States  army,  at  the  close 
of  hostilities,  he  returned  to  Waynesville  and  resumed  the  practice 
of  law  and  soon  built  up  a  large  business.  In  1900  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Republicans  for  Congress  from  the  Ninth  district  against 
W.  T.  Crawford,  who  had  already  served  three  times,  both  candidates 
being  from  Waynesville.  At  the  polls  Major  Moody  was  elected, 
and  served  one  term  lacking  about  four  weeks.  In  1902  he  was  again 
nominated  for  Congress  but  was  defeated  by  J.  M.  G-udger.  Jr.. 
of  Asheville. 

During  the  winter  of  1902  and  1903  Major  Moody's  health  be- 
came bad;  and  in  January  1903.  he  came  home  with  the  death  dew 
upon  his  forehead.  He  lingered  until  Februray  5  when  he  passed 
away.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life  and  gave  promise  of  many  more 
years  of  usefulness. 

On  May  20th.  1885  Mr.  Moody  married  Margaret  E.  Hawkins 
and  from  this  union  six  children  survive,  James  M.  Jr.,  Jessie, 
Mary.  Elizabeth.  Keifer,  and  Margaret. 

Thomas  Isaac  Lenoir. 

Haywood  County's  first  representatives  in  the  lower  house  of 
the  General  Assembly  were  Thomas  Love  and  Thomas  Lenoir,  two 
old  heroes  who  had  fought  the  British  and  the  Indians  in  the  times 
that  tried  men's  souls.  Colonel  Thomas  Lenoir  came  from  Wilkes 
County  to  what  is  now  Haywood  about  the  closing  year  of  the 
eighteenth  century  and  bought  from  the  State  large  tracts  of  land 
on  the  East  Fork  of  Pigeon  River  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising.  In  this  he  was  successful.  He  had  one  of  the  largest 
negro  quarters  in  the  county  and  governed  his  slaves  with  such  a 
Christian  spirit  that  he  always  got  from  them  obedience  and  re- 
verence. After  being  in  the  county  more  than  thirty  years  Colonel 
Lenoir  moved  back  to  his  old  home  in  Wilkes  County  where  he 
died  about  1850. 

A  worthv  son  of  this  noble  sire  was  Thomas  Isaac  Lenoir,  who 


73 

w;,s  born  al  the  homestead  on  Pigeon  River,  August  26th,  L817.  He 
grew  up  as  ;i  country  boj  tutored  bj  nature  and  schooled  in  all 
the  fine  feelings  that  make  up  a  bapp;  life.  After  getting  the  train- 
ing thai  was  afforded  l  y  the  c i  ry  Bchools  of  his  day,  be  was  Bent 

to  the  State  Universitj  where  be  took  an  extensive  course.  Finish- 
ing there  be  Bpenl  a  few  years  in  Wilkes  County  where  his  father 
was  then  living. 

About  lsl7  be  returned  to  Haywood  County  and  took  charge 
oi  the  large  estate  of  his  father.  He  turned  his  attention  to  the 
development  of  the  resources  ol  his  father's  farms.  He  was  a  be- 
liever in  fine  stuck.  He  was.  perhaps,  the  lirsi  m  this  part  of  the 
State  tu  introduce  fine  Btockraising.  His  blooded  cattle  were  the 
finesl  ever  Been  in  Haywood  County  up  to  thai  time. 

During  the  agitation  leading  up  to  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Lenoir's 
sympathies  were  always  with  the  Smith,  and  when  the  storm  ol  war 
hurst  upon  the  land  he  at  once  volunteered.     He  raised  a  company 

of  soldiers,  about  nine-tenths  oi  them  being  fr Pigeon  and  East 

Pork  townships,  and  was  elected  Captain  by  the  unanimous  vote  of 
the  men  composig  it.  Later,  the  company  and  regiment  were  re- 
organized and  Captain  Lenoir  returned  home,  having  passed  the  age 
limit     for    active    service. 

An  ,-i  farmer  and  stock-raiser  Captain  Lenoir  is  chiefly  remem- 
bered.    He  was  the  pi er  who  blazed  the  way  for  the  strides  that 

have    since    been     made.       In    t h is     industry     in    Haywood     County 

Captain  Lenoir's  neighbors  were  all  benefited  by  his  zeal  and  en- 
thusiasm in  this  branch  of  endeavor. 

On  dune  Li.  1861,  Captain  Lenoir  was  married  to  .Miss  Mary 
Elizabeth  Garrette.  Prom  this  union  three  children  were  born: 
Mary  Lenoir  Michal,  Laura  Lenoir,  ami  Sara  Lenoir  Hickerson. 
Captain  Lenoir  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  died 
dan.  5th,  1881  at  his  home  on  Pigeon  River. 


Humphrey  P.  Haynes. 

In  the  making  of  Haywood  County  the  Haynes  family  has  played 
an   important    part.      Prom  the  earliest   times  members  of  the  family 

have  held  conspicuous  positions  in  the  eivil,  religious  and  eduea- 
* ional  life  of  their  communil ies. 

One  of  the   mo<t    honored   representatives  of  the   family   was 

Humphrey  Posey  Haynes,  who  was  horn  at  Pigeon  Rivpr  (Canton) 

•  !;h.  1824,and  died  in  August,  1895.    His  father.  Rev.  William 


74 

Haynes,  born  in  the  same  township,  was  well  known  as  a  local 
preacher  and  an  earnest  Christian  worker.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth 
Hood,  daughter  of  Allen  Hood  who  came  to  this  county  from 
England. 

Mr.  Haynes  was.  in  his  day,  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  Hay- 
wood County  in  all  that  makes  for  good  citizenship,  and  as  such 
was  honored  with  subtantial  evidence  of  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  his  fellow  citizens.  In  1872  he  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the 
lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature  and  served  with  signal  ability 
for  one  term.  In  1880  he  was  chosen  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
County  Commissioners  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  board  two 
terms. 

His  public  services  were  patriotic  and  unselfish,  which  is  shown 
by  the  high  esteem  in  which  his  memory  is  held  to-day. 

Mr.  Haynes  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Nancy  V. 
Leatherwood  to  whom  he  was  married  Feb.  18,  1817.  The  children 
now  living  of  this  union  are  Rev.  J.  M.  Haynes,  well  known  as  a 
Baptist  minister,  William  J.  Haynes,  who  served  two  or  three  terms 
as  sheriff  of  the  county  and  is  now  living  in  AYaynesville,  Rufus 
P.  Haynes.  F.  Cansler  Haynes.  now  serving  his  second  term  as  eounty 
commissioner,  and  Mrs.  Sallie  E.  Robinson. 

His  second  wife  was  Jerusha  E.  Ownby  whom  he  married  April 
2,  L865.  The  living  children  of  this  union  are  Etta,  widow  of  the 
late  J.  Wiley  Shook.  J.  II.  Haynes.  Mark  P.  Haynes.  F.  E.  Haynes, 
a  prominent  and  prosperous  merchant  of  Clyde,  who  by  toil  and 
industry  has  built  up  a  produce  business  that  brings  thousands  of 
dollars  to  the  farmers  of  the  county.  Mrs.  Mattie  E.  Rich.  Robert  II. 
Haynes.  Mrs.  Sarepta  Caldwell.  Lola  K..  .Airs.  Pearl  McLaughlin, 
Airs.  Maude  White,  and  Grover  C.  Haynes. 


William  P.  Welch. 


Captain  William  Pinckney  Welch  was  born  in  Waynesville, 
November  14th,  1838,  and  died  in  Athens.  Ga.,  March  is.  1896.  He 
was  of  patriotic  ancestry,  his  mother's  father,  Robert  Love,  having 
served  in  his  youth  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution. 
His  father.  William  Welch,  was  a  son  of  John  Welch,  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  in  this  county.  The  family  came  to  this  pari  of  I  lie 
State  soon  after  the  Revolution  from  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

With  such  training  as  the  neighborhood  schools  afforded  the 
boy    Pink   was  sent  to   Ashcville  to  school.     There  he  was  prepared 


tor  college  by  the  father  of  General  Stephen  l>  Lee,  oi  Mississippi. 
Id ■  then  took  a  course  in  Bmorj  and  Henry  College,  Va.,  Leaving 
there  in  May,  1861,  to  enter  as  a  volunteer  the  Confederate  service. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Becond  company  thai  left  Ins  native  county,  which 

company   becan orapanj  C  of  the  twenty-fifth  regimenl  of  Korth 

( larolina  infanl i\ . 

In  the  organization  Mr.  Welch  was  chosen  firsl  Lieutenant.  The 
regiment,  after  being  stationed  a1  Asheville  for  ;i  brief  time,  was 
ordered  i"  Wilmington,  and  was  on  duty  on  the  coasi  of  North  ;hi<1 
Smith  Carolina  until  the  early  summer  <>t'  1862,  when  ii  was  ordered 
to  Virginia.  Reaching  Richmond  about  the  firsl  of  June  of  thai  year, 
the  regimenl   was  in  the  thickesl   of  the  seven  days  battles  from 

Gaines  Mil]  to  Malvern  Hill.    In  .-ill  this  baptism  of  bl I  Lieutenant 

Welch  Berved  with  distinguished  gallantry  and  earned  tli«'  praise 
of  his  Buperior  officers. 

After  the  retreal  of  McClellan  Lieutenant  Welch's  company  be- 
came attached,  with  the  twenty-fifth  regiment,  to  General  Robert 
Ransom's  brigade  of  Longstreet  's  Corps,  [n  all  the  subsequent  cam- 
paigns, including  the  battles  of  Sharpsburg  and  Fredericksburg,  his 
company   played   a   very   important   and   conspicuous   part. 

Afterwards  Lieutenant  Welch  took  pari  in  the  campaign  in 
North  Carolina  in  1864.  lit-  was  at  the  battle  of  Kinston  and  in  the 
Plymouth  campaign,  in  both  instances  being  distinguished  for 
in -ss  and  gallantry  under  fire.  At  Bermuda  Hundreds,  near  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  he  played  a  heroic  pari  in  the  defeat  of  Butler  and  the 
bottling  up  <>f  his  army  by  i f h-  forces  of  General  Beauregard. 

Late  in  is';l  Lieutenanl  Welch  was  transferred  to  the  engineer 
corps  with  the  rank  of  Captain  and  continued  in  thai  line  of  duty 
tin-  remainder  of  the  war.  While  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  he 
was  once  wounded  in  one  of  the  numerous  battles  near  Petersburg, 
and  surrendered  with  Lee  a1  Appomattox. 

No  officer  of  his  regimenl  was  more  popular  than  <  laptain  Welch. 
The  Burvivors  in  Haywood  County  have  honored  the  memory  of 
him  by  naming  their  organization  the  "Pink  Welch  Camp  of  the 
United  <  lonfederate  Veterans." 

After  the  war  Captain  Welch  studied  Law  and  opened  an  office 

for  the  practice  of  the  same  in   Waynesville.     He  I ame  a  very 

jsful  lawyer  and  buill  np  an  extensive  practice.    As  a  public 

speaker  he  sunn  I ame  noted,  and  In  consequence  was  drawn  into 

politics.  He  was  elected  to  a  seal  in  the  Lower  house  of  the  State 
[legislature  in  1868  and  again  in  1870.  En  those  memorable  sessions 
of  the  General   Assembly  Captain   Welch   took  a   prominenl    part. 


76 

In  the  impeachment  proceedings  of  1870  against  Governor  W.  W. 
Holding  he  was  active  and  aggressive.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
judiciary  committee  that  drew  up  the  charges  of  high  crimes  and 
misdemeanors  against  the  governor,  and  aided  in  the  prosecution  of 
'h'  case  at  the  bar  of  the  Senate.  His  speech  on  that  oecasiou  was 
eloquent  and  effective. 

Captain  Welch's  legislative  experience  did  not  end  with  the  con- 
viction and  deposition  of  Governor  Holden.  In  187-1  he  was  chosen 
t.,  represent  in  the  State  Senate  the  forty-first  senatorial  district, 
composed  of  Henderson,  Haywood,  and  Transylvania  counties. 

Polities,  however,  had  no  fascination  for  Captain  Welch.  Even 
before  his  term  of  office  as  senator  had  expired  he  had  planned  to 
leave  North  Carolina,  give  up  law  and  politics,  and  go  into  the 
cotton  manufacturing  business  in  Athens,  Ga.  In  1876  he  moved  to 
that  place  and  became  interested  in  the  Georgia  Manufacturing 
Company  with  mills  at  White  Hall.  In  that  business  he  remained 
until  his  death  in  1896. 

Captain  Welch  was  married  twice,  first  to  Miss  Sarah  Cathey. 
daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Cathey,  and  second,  January  26.  1875, 
to  Margaretta  Richards  White,  Daughter  of  John  White  and  sister 
of  John  R.  and  Captain  James  White,  of  Athens,  Ga.,  Their  only 
son,  John  White  Welch,  is  now  a  resident  of  the  same  eity. 


Dr.  Robert  V.  Welch. 


Robert  Vance  Welch  was  born  in  Haywood  County,  Dec.  4th, 
1822and  died  Jan.  12th,  1899.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Love)   Welch,  and  a  grandson  of  Colonel  Robert  Love. 

After  getting  the  rudiments  of  an  education  in  his  native  county 
1he  boy,  now  almost  a  young  man,  was  sent  to  finish  his  academic 
course  at  Washington  College,  Tennessee.  There  he  studied  for 
some  years  before  going  to  the  medical  college  at  the  University 
of  Kentucky,  from  which  he  was  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  One 
singular  thing  about  this  part  of  his  life  is  the  fact  that,  when  he 
went  to  college,  he  rode  horseback  all  the  way  to  Lexington,  Ky., 
took  his  negro  servant  with  him,  and  kept  the  negro  and  the  two 
horses  in  Lexington  the  whole  time  he  was  in  school  there. 

After  receiving  his  diploma  Dr.  Welch  settled  in  Waynesville 
and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  continued  his  practice 
for  some  years,  until  a  diseased  leg  forced  him  to  retire  from  a"ctiVe 


work.    In  1862  he  was  a  Burgeon  in  the  Confederate  army,  and  served 
acceptably  in  thai  capacity . 

Dr.  Welch  was.  for  a  number  of  years,  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
p  in  Jackson  County.    He  also  did  a  large  business  as  con- 
tractor for  the  transportation  of  goods  over  the  old  State  turnpike 
en  Asheville  and  Cherokee.     He  invested  extensively  in  real 
eatat<    and  other  properties  during  his  life,  and  a1  the  time  of  his 
death  had  amassed  a   considerable   fortune. 

Positive  in  Bpeech  and  in  action  Dr.  Welch  had  considerable 
influence  in  his  community.  He  was  a  prominenl  member  of  the 
Baptisl  Church  to  which  he  always  contributed  liberally. 

Dr.  Welch  in  early  life  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Peebles 
of  Easl  Tennessee.  Seven  children  were  the  fruits  of  this  union, 
Julius  C.  who  lives  at  the  old  homestead  aboul  two  miles  from 
Waynesville,  Samuel  C,  a  prominenl  and  successful  lawyer  of 
Waynesville,  Marietta  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  Howell  Way,  of 
Waynesville  and  Nora  I...  now  Mrs.  H.  P.  Ashton,  of  Chattanooga, 
Tenn. 


Other  Builders. 

Besides  those  whose  brief  biographies  have  been  given  there 
were  others  whose  deeds  were  Buch  as  to  entitle  them  to  sketches 
of  like  nature,  but  owing  t<»  the  difficulties  in  getting  at  the  facts 

only  a  brief  mention  can  be  made  «.t'  them. 

John  McFarland  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  from 
the  tirst  was  among  the  most  influential  men  in  the  county.  He 
was  tor  four  years  senator  from  this  county  in  the  General  As., -m 
hly  of  North   Carolina   and   was  prominent    in   farming  and   hnsiness 

circles.     He  owned  large  tracts  of  land  in  Beaverdam  ami  Pigeon 

townships. 

Hodge  Baboume  was  another  one  of  the  old  settlers,  lie  served 
the  county  seven  years  in   the  senate  and   had   much   to  do   with    the 

early  progress  ,,f  the  county. 

dames  Welch,  Thomas  Tatham.  William  I'arham.  William  Sitfm. 
.lames    Gudger,    and     Michael     [-Yam-is.    each    served    the    eoiinty    in 

the  senate.  John  Dobson,  Joseph  Chambers,  John  Steveson,  Daniel 
McDowell,  Benjamin  dark.  Benjamin  S.  Brittain,  John  I..  Smith. 
Joseph  H.  Walker.  Joseph  Keener,  and  Andrew  Ferguson,  all  Berved 

terms  in  the  house  of  eoiiimons  and  acquitted  well. 

Rev.   D.  C.  Howell,  of  Jonathan's  Creek,  was  one  of  the  I, est    men 


78 

of  the  county.  He  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  denomination 
and  did  much  in  building  up  his  part  of  the  county.  He  died  about 
four  years  ago  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

Hon.  W.  G.  B.  Garrett  was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention of  1868.  He  was  for  a  long  time  the  leading  Republican  in 
the  county.     Mr.  Garrett  died  in  1905. 

Hon.  Thomas  D.  Johnson,  late  of  Asheville,  was  born  in  Way- 
nesville.  but  moved  to  Asheville  while  still  a  boy.  He  represented 
the  district  in  congress  two  terms.  While  not  living  in  Haywood 
at  the  time  that  the  honor  came  to  him  he  was  always  claimed  as  a 
Haywood  County  man. 

Colonel  J.  Wiley  Shook,  of  Clyde,  was  perhaps  the  most  gifted 
man  the  county  has  had.  He  was  versatile  and  sarcastic  to  a 
merciless  degree.  For  some  time  he  was  employed  in  the  office  of  the 
collector  of  internal  revenues  at  Asheville.  His  writings  for  the 
newspapers  were  bright  and  cutting.     He  died  in  1907. 

John  Killian,  of  Ivy  Hill,  was  one  of  the  substantial  citizens 
of  that  township.  His  influence  among  his  neighbors  was  always  for 
the  uplifting  of  the  community. 

James  McKee,  X.  G.  Howell,  and  J.  B.  Allison  all  served  as 
sheriffs  of  Haywood  County  at  different  periods.  Their  impress 
has  been  left  upon  the  life  of  the  county. 

"William  Johnson,  father  of  Hon.  T.  D.,  was  a  merchant  in  Way- 
nesville  for  a  long  time  and  assisted  in  the  early  development  of  the 
town. 

Robert  L.  Owen,  who  lived  on  the  Jonathan  Creek  road  and  died 
in  1907.  was  a  farmer.  He  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of 
his  day.  His  life  was  clean  and  his  thoughts  singularly  pure.  He 
was  a  scholar  in  many  subjects  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  his 
education  was  limited. 

Jacob  Shook  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  on  Pigeon  River.  He 
was  living  in  that  locality  in  1786  when  his  son.  David  Shook  was 
born.  He  moved  in  from  Lincoln  County  soon  after  the  Revolution. 
David  Shook,  his  son  born  in  1786  near  where  Clyde  is  now.  lived 
to  the  ripe  old  age  of  96.  He  built  the  first  frame  house  in  the 
county,  made  his  nails  himself  with  which  he  put  on  the  timbers  and 
sawed  the  lumber  with  a  whip-saw.    The  house  is  still  standing. 


David  \V.  Shook,  Jr. 


Tl AFTER  X. 


Haywood  County  by  Townships. 


In  the  earliest  days  of  the  county  there  were  no  townships. 
In  all  the  territory  west  of  the  Buncombe  Comity  line  to  Tennessee 
and  round  to  the  northern  line  of  Georgia  there  were  only  two  voting 
precincts.  It  cost  something  in  those  days  to  vote,  for  long  toil- 
some journeys  had  to  be  made  to  the  polling  places.  One  of  these 
places  was  at  John  Howell's  near  the  month  of  Raccoon  Creek.  The 
other  was  at  Soco  beyond  the  Balsam  range  in  what  is  now  Jackson 
County.  As  the  population  increased  other  precincts  were  added. 
In  1869  by  act  of  the  Legislature  they  were  called  townships.  For 
a  long  number  of  years  there  were  only  six  townships  in  the  county. 
namely.  Waynesville,  Fines  Creek.  Crabtree,  Pigeon,  Cattaloocb.ee 
and  Beaverdam.  There  are  now  thirteen  of  them.  The  story  of  these 
divisions  is  interesting  not  only  to  the  people  living  in  them  but 
to  other  parts  of  the  county  as  well. 


Waynesville. 

AVaynesville,  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  townships,  was  established 
in  1809  as  a  precinct,  and  included  at  first  a  large  part  of  the 
county.  Later,  other  townships  were  formed  out  of  its  territory  until 
now  it  contains  only  about  forty  square  miles  and  a  population  in 
1900  of  3,908  and  in  1908  of  about  5.000.  The  chief  products  are 
corn,  potatoes,  wheat,  oats,  apples,  cattle,  lumber,  and  furniture. 
The  taxable  valuation  of  property  in  1908  is  over  $4,000,000. 

There  are  two  incorpated  towns  in  the  township.  AVaynesville 
and  Hazelwood.  The  history  of  the  township,  therefore,  naturally 
clusters  around  the  two  towns,  and  the  story  of  the  towns  will  be 
the  story  of  the  township. 


82 

Before  Haywood  became  a  county  the  ridge  between  Richland 
and  Raccoon,  upon  which  "Waynesville  is  now  beautifully  situated, 
was  known  as  Mount  Prospect.  The  name  was  probably  given  to  it 
when  the  army  of  General  Rutherford,  in  1776,  encamped  upon  it. 
Rutherford  was  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians,  who  were  fleeing  before 
him.  His  army  crossed  the  Pigeon  River  near  where  Canton  is  now, 
encamped  for  a  day  at  Mount  Prospect,  defeated  the  Indians  in  a 
skirmish  near  Balsam  gap,  and  pursued  them  into  East  Tennessee 
where  he  defeated  them  in  battle  and  destroyed  their  villages  and 
crops  forcing  them  to  sue  for  peace.  At  that  early  time,  before  the 
white  man  had  plowed  a  furrow.  Mount  Prospect  was  known  to  the 
adventurer,  who  occasionally  passed  this  way  to  and  from  the  set- 
tlements on  the  Holston  and  the  Nollichucky  beyond  the  Great 
Smokies. 

After  the  Revolution  when  the  first  settlers  began  to  come  into 
this  neighborhood  the  beauty  of  Mount  Prospect  was  recognized.  A 
gently  sloping  plateau  of  some  twenty-eight  hundred  feet  above  sea 
level  with  a  creek,  affording  natural  drainage  on  either  side,  struck 
the  eye  of  the  prospectors  as  being  an  ideal  spot  for  a  home;  and 
here  many  of  the  old  Revolutionary  soldiers,  who  were  pioneers  at 
heart,  seeking  for  favorable  lands  upon  which  to  locate,  drove  down 
their  stakes  and  asked  for  grants  from  the  government.  Among 
these  old  settlers  we  find  the  names:  Welch,  Love,  Francis,  Allen, 
Killian,  Hyatt,  Miller,  Dobson,  Howell,  and  others. 

In  a  few  years  when  the  population  in  and  about  Mount 
Prospect  became  numerous  enough  to  form  the  neucleus  of  another 
county  a  petition  was  sent  to  the  General  Assembly  praying  for  the 
organization  of  the  county  of  Haywood.  That  petition  was  granted, 
the  county  was  erected,  and  the  court  house  and  jail  located  at 
Mount  Prospect.  The  name  was  changed  to  Waynesville  at  the 
suggestion  of  Colonel  Robert  Love,  who  donated  the  sites  for  the 
public  buildings.  The  name  "Waynesville"  is  used  for  the  first 
time  in  the  records  of  the  court  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions  in 
1810. 

For  more  than  sixty  years  the  growth  of  the  town  was  re- 
markably slow.  At  the  close  of  the  Civil  war  it  was  nothing  more 
than  a  mountain  hamlet.  There  were  about  fifteen  families  living 
within  the  town  and  the  population  numbered  about  seventy-five. 
There  were  two  stores  at  that  time  and  one  hotel  kept  by  a  Mrs. 
Battle.  The  extreme  length  of  Main  Street  was  Judge  Gudger'a 
home  on  the  South  and  William  Ray's  where  Dr.  R.  L.  Allen  now 
lives,  on  the  North. 


- 


Among  the  citizens  of  thai  time,  immediately  following  the 
Civil  war,  were  W.  U  Tate,  a  lawyer  who  had  moved  in  from  Burke 
County,  Colonel  8.  C.  Bryson,  a  lawyer  who  moved  t..  T.- x.is  the 
same  year,  John  B.  Fitzgerald,  a  lawyer  but  aol  practicing,  Michael 
EVancia,  who  had  been  prominenl  in  tin-  politics  of  the  county  for  a 
lciiLr  time  I'm  who  sliuiiK  moved  away,  AJden  Howell,  W.  I..  N'..r- 
wood,  J.  C.  L.  Gudger,  W.  P.  Welch,  G.  S.  Ferguson,  and  W.  B. 
Ferguson,  all  of  whom  bad  recently  Becured  licenses  to  practice  law 
Among  the  physicians  were  L)rs.  S.  L.  Dove,  II.  M.  Rogers,  <!.  D.  S. 
Allen,  and  K.  V.  Welch. 


Main  Street,  Looking  South. 


Oth.-r  citizens  were  S.  -I.  Shelton,  K.  <;.  A.  Love,  T.  D.  Welch, 
William  Bay,  hiid  others  whose  Dames  mighl  be  mentioend.    These 
citizens  with  olhers  formed  the  neucleus  from  which   Wayne 
has  been  built 

In  1871,  by  ;i<-t  of  Legislature,  Waynesville  was  incorporated 
with  a  municipal  government.  The  population  at  that  time  was  less 
than  two  hundred,  but  there  were  Borne  siu'iis  of  growth.  The  Hay- 
wood White  Sulphur  Springs  Hotel  was  opened  in  1  s"v  In  that  year 
its  managemenl  began  to  advertise  the  attractions  of  Waynesville, 


84 

and  tourists  began  to  find  their  way  to  this  part  of  the  "land  of 
the  sky." 

Some  time  in  1882  the  railroad  was  completed  to  Waynesville, 
and  the  first  engine  with  a  train  of  cars  pulled  up  to  the  station 
that  year.  It  was  a  great  occasion  for  the  town.  The  next  year  the 
North  Carolina  Teachers  Assembly  met  at  the  Springs  Hotel,  and 
in  a  few  years  the  little  mountain  hamlet,  before  isolated  and  un- 
known, was  heard  of  throughout  North  Carolina. 

Still  the  growth  was  slow.  In  1890  the  population  was  only 
455.  But  by  that  year  some  spirit  of  growth  and  genuine  enterprise 
began  to  display  itself.  Hotels  were  built  and  boarding  houses  began 
to  multiply  in  number  to  accommodate  the  increasing  tide  of  sum- 
mer guests.  By  1895  the  town  began  to  assume  some  of  the  airs 
of  a  progressive  community.  The  Waynesville  Library  Association 
was  organized  and  at  once  opened  a  public  library  that  loaned  books 
on  subscription. 

In  1-899  the  town  voted  bonds  for  graded  schools  ana  electric 
lights.  In  September  that  year  the  graded  school  began  with  210 
pupils,  and  has  since  grown  to  800.  The  same  year  a  system  of 
electric  lights  was  installed,  which  has  since  been  greatly  improved 
by  getting  power  from  the  electric  plant  established  in  1905  on 
Pigeon  Kiver  by  B.  J.  Sloan  and  others. 

For  two  or  three  years  from  1899  there  was  activity  in  Hotel 
building.  The  Waynesville  Inn  was  erected  and  furnished;  Hotel 
Gordon  was  opened;  Bon  Air  became  one  of  the  city's  hotels;  an 
annex  was  built  to  the  Springs  hotel ;  and  last  but  by  no  means  least 
the  famous  Eagles  Nest  hotel  was  built  on  the  summit  of  Junaluska 
mountain.  An  elegant  road,  built  some  years  ago  by  Messrs.  S.  C. 
Satterthwait  and  George  H.  Smathers,  leads  to  the  hotel  as  it  snugly 
sits  upon  the  brow  of  Junaluska  looking  down  upon  Waynesville 
more  than  two  thousand  feet  below. 

In  1903  a  twenty  thousand  dollar  system  of  water  works  was 
installed.  The  city  has  out  grown  the  dimensions  laid  out  for  it  then, 
and  now  plans  are  being  laid  for  the  further  extension  of  the 
system.  In  1905  Main  Street  was  paved  with  granitoid  bricks,  and 
cement  side-walks  were  laid  on  Main  and  Depot  Streets.  Besides, 
all  the  streets  leading  out  of  town  were  macadamized  that  year 
and  the  succeeding. 

Among  the  enterprises  of  Waynesville  the  banks  play  a  very 
important  part.  There  are  three,  and  they  are  doing  a  safe  and 
profitable  business.  The  oldest  is  the  Bank  of  Waynesville,  organized 
in  1887.     Captain  Alden  Howell  is  its  first  and  only  president.     J. 


85 

w    Reed   is  the  cashier  and   AJden    Howell,  Jr.,   is   the  assistant 

cashier,    the  capital  stock  is  $51 El   is  the  oldesl  bank  west 

of  the  Bine  Ridge  mountains  and  does  a  Large  bus  i 


First  National  Bank. 


The  charter  for  tins  bank  was  issued  Dec.  26,  L902.  It  has 
been  a  welcome  addition  to  the  financial  resources  of  the  county 
and  has  been  especially  valuable  in  the  aid  and  enoouragemenl  it 
has  always  manifested  toward  industrial  and  other  enterprises.    The 

capita]   is  $25,000;  surplus  and   undivided   profits  about  >M.< ; 

and  average  deposits  $200,000.  The  bank  pays  tour  per  cent,  on 
time  deposits. 

The  offcers  of  the  Lank  are  G.  W.  Bfaslin,  president;  Clyde  H. 
Kay.  vice  president;  W.  T.  Blaylock,  cashier,  each  of  whom  has 
held  the  position  from  the  orgaization.  The  board  of  directors  is 
s  very  strong  one,  viz:  G.  W.  Maslin,  Clyde  II.  Ray,  ('has.  E.  Ray, 
K.  B.  Quinlan,  S.  C.  Satterthwait,  Dr.  J.  Bowel]  Way.  and  Samuel  c! 
Welch.  The  hank's  patronage  is  large  and  increasing.  It  occupies 
a  building  of  its  own  on  .Main  Street. 

In  November,  1906,  the  Commercial  Bank  opened  for  business 
with  a  capita]  Btock  of  $30,000.  It  occupies  the  ground  floor  of  the 
elegant  white  brick  building  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Depot 
stiv.-is.  R.  B.  Osborne  is  president;  II.  R.  Ferguson,  \  dee  president; 
and  J.  R.  Boyd  is  cashier. 

Another  enterprise  is  the  Waynesville  Courier,  a  weekly  news- 
paper that  wields  considerable  influence  in  the  county.  It  was  es- 
tablished in  lss.-,  ;IM(|  w,.,lt  through  many  vicissitudes  in  its  early 
days.  J.  I>.  Boone  was  tin-  first  man  to  put  it  upon  anything  like  a 
paying  hasis.  |„  1902,  howover,  he  sold  it  to  <;.  I  !.  Briggs,  who 
enlarged  ami  strengthened  the  paper.  January  1st.  i!n>7  the  Courier 
Printing  Company,  composed  of  <;.  I '.  Briggs  ami  \V.  < !.  an,.,,.  \sas 
formed  and  the  office  si  in  further  increased  in  efficiency.  In  that 
year  a  model  No.  5  Linotype  ma. -hi,,.-  was  installed  ami  the  office 

further  equipped.    It  is  now  a  sound  Dm ratic  paper  «rith  a  large 

subscription  list  snd  a  good  advertising  patronage. 

There  are  about  thirty  husiu,-vs  houses  in  the  town,  tin- Lrug 

tun  plumbing  establishments,  five  livery  stables,  four 
churches,  a  telephone  exchange,  twenty-five  hotels  and  hoarding 
houses,  aboul  two  miles  of  cemenl  side-walks,  and  nearly  a  mile 
of  brick  pavement. 


$6 

Haywood   County  Fair. 

Another  important  enterprise,  which  is  located  at  Waynesville 
but  in  which  the  whole  county  is  interested,  is  the  county  fair.  The 
story  of  its  organization  and  growth  belongs  to  the  history  of 
the  county. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1905,  J.  M.  L.  MeCracken,  of  Crabtree, 
published  in  the  Waynesville  Courier  a  communication  advocating 
a  fair  for  Haywood  County.  The  proposition  seemed  to  meet  with 
general  favor,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  farmers'  institute  in  August 
the  matter  was  taken  up  and  discussed  fully.  At  that  meeting  a 
temporary  organization  was  effected,  with  J.  A.  Collins  as  presi- 
dent and  G.  C.  Briggs  as  secretary.  At  first  it  was  intended  to  have  a 
fair  for  the  exhibition  of  live  stock  only,  but  as  the  organization  de- 
veloped it  was  decided  to  have  a  general  exhibition. 

The  first  fair  was  held  November  1,  2  ,3,  1905.  The  officers  that 
year  were  as  follows :  Joseph  A.  Collins,  president ;  W.  S.  Terrell, 
R.  A.  L.  Hyatt,  J.  L.  Walker,  E.  C.  Clark,  vice-presidents;  J.  L. 
StringfieM,  treasurer;  James  E.  Carraway,  secretary,  G.  D.  Green, 
assistant  secretary;  B.  F.  Smathers,  general  manager;  J.  .R  Me- 
Cracken, chief  marshal.  The  opening  address  that  year  was  deliv- 
ered by  Hon.  Locke  Craig,  of  Asheville. 

Since  that  year  the  fair  has  greatly  grown  in  importance 
Now  it  is  the  most  largelv  attended  fair  in  western  North  Carolina. 


Hi    A 

in           i        \ni  1 

\V.     II.     Col< 


Hazelwood. 

Hazelwood,  the  only  other  town  in  Waynesville  township,  was 
incorporated  in  1905  by  act  of  the  State  Legislature.  By  appoint- 
ment of  the  General  Assembly  E.  E.  Quinlan  became  the  first  mayor 
and  served  until  May.  1907.  when  \V.  H.  Cole  was  elected.  The 
Board  of  Aldermen  is  composed  of  J.  C.  Fisher,  AY.  A.  Whitener,  and 
D.  R.  Allen. 

Mr.  Cole,  the  founder  of  the  town  and  president  of  the  Hazel- 
wood  Manufacturing  Company,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  born  56  years  ago.  In  1870  he  moved  to  Tipton  County, 
Tenn..  and  was  in  business  there  until  1893  when  he  came  to  Hay- 
wood County  and  settled  one  mile  from  Waynesville  in  what  is  now 
Hazelwood  but  then  nothing  but  waste  land.  Mr.  Cole  began  opera- 
tions then  as  a  saw  mill  man  and  soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
the  place  which  he  had  named  '"Hazelwood"  begin  to  grow. 

This  enterprising  young  municipality  has  now  a  population  of 
about  700.  There  are  several  important  manufacturing  plants  lo- 
cated in  its  limits.  The  Junaluska  Leather  Company,  one  of 
the  largest  tanneries  in  the  State,  has  a  capacity  of  150  hides  a  day. 
The  leather  made  here  is  sent  to  the  eastern  markets.  A  force  of 
about  100  men   is  constantly   employed. 

The  Hazelwood  Manufacturing  Company,  another  important  en- 
terprise, turns  out  wooden  columns,  mouldings,  tables,  ceilings, 
flooring,  staves,  wooden  pipe,  and  other  useful  things  besides  operat- 
ing a  saw  mill.     This  concern  employs  about  25  men. 

Besides  these  two  there  are  two  large  furniture  factories  doing 
a  large  and  growing  business  in  their  lines.  The  building  of  a  large 
and  modern  sanitarium  for  tuberculosis  patients  is  now  under  con- 
sideration. When  built  it  will  be  largely  of  glass  and  on  the  most 
approved  lines  known  to  experts  in  the  fresh  air  treatment  of  pa- 
tients with  this  disease,  and  will  be  one  of  the  most  important  enter- 
prises in  western  North  Carolina. 

At  Hazelwood  is  a  good  school  under  the  same  management  as 
tin-  Waynesville  Graded  Schools.  There  is  also  a  church  building 
which  is  used  by  several  denominations. 

Altogether  the  prospects  point  to  a  rapid  increase  in  the  size 
and  importance  of  this  hustling  little  hive  of  industry. 


Beaverdam 

Beaverdam  is  one  of  the  original  precincts  of  the  county.     It 

tied   Beaverdam  while  il   was  a   pari   of  Bun* ibe  County, 

and  i8  supposed  to  have  received  its  name  from  the  modest  Little 
creek  within  its  bounds  upon  which  beavers,  in  early  times,  had  their 
(1;llll>.  At  firsl  n  included  a  pari  of  whal  is  nov,  Clyde  township. 
h  has  an  area  of  aboul  forty  Bquare  miles  and  a  population  of  about 

.-.jinn     The  taxable  vaiuati I  property   in  1908  is  $1,042,089. 

g0] ,f  the  earliesl  settlements  in  the  county  were  made  along 

..,,,,  River  in  this  township.    Besides  those  already  otioned 

in  the  chapter  on  "The  Barlj  Settlements,"  there  are  some  others 
thai  deserve  mention. 

Pge  H.-iii.  a  Revolutionary  Boldier  who  lies  buried  al  Locust 
Field  Cemetery,  moved  here  from   Rowan  County,  and  settled  on 
North   Bominy.     He  broughl   his  wagon   as   Ear  as   Asherville  and 
ef1    it.     By  horseback  he  broughl   his  and   provis- 

ions to  whal  i-  now  known  as  the  Russell  place  where  he  Located. 
At  thai  time  deer  were  as  plentiful  as  rabbits  are  now  and  the  Land 
was  \.r\  fertile.  Only  a  few  settlers  were  thru  in  thai  section.  The 
McDowells  had  taken  oul  two  grants  of  640  acres  each  a1  whal  was 
known  as  "Ford  of  Pigeon"  where  Canton  is  oow  situated.  0 
the  firsl  houses  buill  there  was  a  double  Log  house  thai  stood  Dear 
the  site  of  the  Monroe-Wells  boarding  house  and  was  destroyed 
in  1882 

Aboul  the  time  thai  Hall  came  in  1801  John  McFarland  secured 
a  granl   of  a  section,  which    included    the  presenl     Pharr,   Marion 

Smathers,   and    I Pinner   farms.      Other    -ranis    were    secured 

aboul  th.'  same  time,  and  as  time  wenl  on  other  families  came  and 
settled  in  the  beautiful  valley.  Among  the,  Bettlers  in  thai  section 
we  find  the  names  of  Harry  Johnson,  Thomas  Al.-l.  a  Revolutionary 
Boldier,  George,  Jesse,  Levy,  and  Charlie  Smathers,  who  came  from 
Catawba  and  Bettled  in  Dutch  Cove,  Blisha  Phillips,  who  settled 
at  the  head  of  Hominy,  James  M.  Patton,  a  successful  Btock 
William  and  John  Haynes  two  of  the  pioneer  ministers  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  Ambrose  Pharr,  who  settled  on  pari  of  the  McFarland  tract, 
Eliliu  Chambers,  who  was  a  gianl  almosl  in  stature  and  in  physical 

enduraj noted  as  a  surveyor,  J.  Wesly  Harbin,  a  noted  Bchool- 

r  and  surveyor,  WiUiam  Scott,  Roberl  II  Penland,  Levey 
Clark,  Joseph  Ford,  George,  Green,  William,  and  James  Moore,  four 
brothers  who  bought  pari  of  the  McDowell  land,  Captain  A  J. 
Murray,  who  was  sheriff  of  the  county  for  a  Long  number  of  years, 


so 

John  P.  Sharp,  who  settled  in  Dutch  Cove,  Jesse  Kinsland,  Isaac 
Smathers,  Kobert  Sharp,  and  others,  that  might  be  mentioned 
namely  the  Cooks,  the  Hendersons,  the  Minguses.  the  Holtsclaws, 
and  the  Meases. 

Beaverdam  is  different  from  all  other  townships  in  the  county, 
in  that  it  is  the  only  one  that  does  not  lie  exclusively  upon  the 
waters  of  Pigeon  River,  which  runs  its  entire  length  in  Haywood 
County.  All  the  drainage  of  the  county  is  into  Pigeon  River  with 
the  exception  of  about  sixteen  square  miles  of  territory  in  Beaver- 
dam, which  drains  into  the  French  Broad. 


Canton. 

Canton  is  the  only  town  in  Beaverdam  township.  It  has  a 
history  which  is  interesting.  For  more  than  ninety  years  there  was 
a  postoffice  at  the  Ford  of  Pigeon  that  was  named  Pigeon  River. 
Only  a  few  houses  were  upon  the  site  during  all  these  years.  In 
1861,  the  first  year  of  the  Civil  war,  there  were  only  two  houses  in 
the  place.     Robert  Penland  was  postmaster  at  that  time. 

After  the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  the  place  began  to  put  on  the 
appearance  of  a  village.  A  few  more  houses  were  built  and  there 
first  appeared  even  the  suggestion  of  a  town.  In  1881  the  railroad 
reached  the  place,  a  depot  was  built  and  it  became  the  terminus 
for  nearly  two  years.  Engineer  S.  S.  Aldridge  ran  the  first  train 
into  Pigeon.  Engineer*  W.  P.  Terrell  was  the  first  to  run  an  engine 
across  Pigeon  River.  Captain  W.  II.  Hargrove  was  the  first  depot 
agent  at  that  place. 

For  a  few  years  after  the  railroad  reached  the  village  there 
was  considerable  activity.  The  name.  Pigeon  River,  was  changed  to 
Buford  in  honor  of  the  president  of  the  railroad  company,  but  that 
name  did  not  seem  to  be  fitting,  for  it  never  became  generally  known 
by  that  term.  In  1889.  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  the  place  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  Pigeon  River,  and  the  village  became 
a  town.  Later,  in  1894  the  town,  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  C.  L. 
Mingus,  was  named  Canton  and  by  act  of  Legislature  the  next  year 
that  name  was  made  legal. 

Canton  is  now  a  hustling  city  of  3000  inhabitants.  In  1907  a 
bond  issue  of  $65,000  for  street  improvements  and  Graded  Schools 
was  voted.  The  same  year  a  system  of  public  schools  with  Prof.  R.  D, 
McDowell  as  superintendent  was  organized.  The  streets  are  now 
being  improved.     The  town  has  two  banks,  the  Champion  and  the 


92 

Bank  of  Canton.     There  are  several  large  general  stores  besides 
many  smaller  ones. 

The  Champion  Fibre  Company  broke  ground  for  their  big 
plant  in  April,  1906,  and  as  it  stands  to-day  represents  an  invest- 
ment of  more  than  two  million  dollars.  The  daily  product  of  wood 
pulp  averages  200  tons,  all  of  which  is  used  by  the  paper  mills  of 
the  eompany  at  Hamilton,  0.  The  amount  of  tannic  acid  manufac- 
tured is  very  large,  the  annual  capacity  being. 75, 000  barrels.  About 
650  men  are  employed,  which  means  a  disbursement  of  $14,000  to 
$15,000  at  Canton  on  each  semi-monthly  payday.  The  company 
has  built  more  than  60  houses  for  the  use  of  employees  and  more 
are  under  way. 


Pigeon. 

Pigeon  precinct  was  formed  soon  after  the  organization  of 
the  county  government  in  1809,  and  was  named  for  the  river  that 
runs  directly  through  its  territory.  At  first  it  included  all  the 
country  now  within  East  Fork  and  Cecil  townships.  It  is  one 
of  th?  richest  sections  of  the  county. 

Within  its  limits  is  the  Garden  farm,  where  the  first  settlement 
in  the  county  is  supposed  to  have  been  made  about  1785.  It  was 
included  in  the  McDowell  grant  and  is  now  owned  by  the  Plott 
family.  Another  grant  a  little  while  after  that  time  was  to  John 
Gooch  from  John  Strother.  About  the  year  1802  a  settlement  was 
made  upon  it.  The  lands  are  now  owned  by  the  Osborne  and 
Smathers  families.  Adjoining  this  tract  were  the  Daniel  Killian 
lands,  now  owned  by  J.  R.  Abel,  Rowley  Cook  and  others.  The 
William  Mehaffey  farm  was  also  opened  up  in  1802.  purchased  from 
John  Strother  and  now  owned  by  the  Evans  family  and  others. 

Several  other  farms  were  opened  up  on  Pigeon  about  the 
same  time,  among  them  the  William  Cathey.  the  Hefner,  the  Mary 
Miller,  the  Moore,  the  Allen  Campbell;  the  Wilson,  the  Deaver.  the 
Spencer  Bird,  the  Plott,  the  Edmonston,  the  Henry,  and  others 
that  are  well  known  to-day. 

During  the  early  settlements  the  forks  of  the  river  were  granted 
to  the  Grunlers  and  the  Biffles.  Newman  Wells,  about  1820,  moved 
from  Rutherford  County  and  bought  on  the  forks  of  the  river  what 
is  known  as  the  Wells  farm.  James  Holland  moved  here  from  Ten- 
nessee  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century.    He  was  a  man 


of  considerable  ability.    0 E  his  eons,  Henry  Holland,  was  sheriff 

of  the  county  in  the  fifties. 

Among  the  names  of  ti Ld  settle™  in   Pig i  township  we 

find  also  Henry  Robinson,  wl ttled  on  Garden  Creek  Peter  Mease 

w , sbont  the  same  time  as  Henry  Robinson ^and  mamedthe 

letter's  daughter,  Elijah  Henson  and  several  brothers,  who  settled 
,n  Nvh,,  ls  aow  known  as  the  Benson  Cove  and  from  whom  an, 
extensive  Eamily  has  Bprung. 

0f  themosl  noted  Eamiliesof  Pigeon  township  is  the  I  athey 
family      \|h,ui  il.-  tir.t  of  the  nineteenth  century,  William  Cathey 

m0Ved  here  from   Virginia  and  settled   in  the  Pig valley.     He 

lef1  one  BOn,  Joseph  Cathey,  a  man  of  greal  native  ability  wh 
biography  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  II-  married  about 
1830  Miss  Nancy  Hyatl  and  Erom  thai  nnion  a  Large  family  has 
descended.  Pour  sons  ...  the  Confederate  army,  two  of  whomlos 
their  lives  namelj  Capt.  James  M.  Cathey,  who  was  killed  at 
Petersburg,  and  Lieutenanl  J.  T.  Cathey,  who  died  of  Eever  ...  the 

hospital  ;.t  Wilson. 

Mother  noted  Eamily  is  the  Lenoir  Eamily.     Colonel    Phomas 
Lenoir  moved  to  this  county  Erom   Wilkes  aboul   the  firsl   ot   the 
last  century  ......I  bought   Erom  the  State  large  possessions  on  the 

eas1    fork   of    Pigeon   and   engaged    in    Earming  and    stock-raia 
H,   veasa  useful  and  highly  honored  citizen,    His  son,  Capt.  Tho 
]    Lenoir,  was  one  of  he  raosl  noted  ..mm.  of  the  county  a1  the  time 
of  the  Civil  war.    His  biography  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  Bdmonston  was  another  noted  Eamily  of  Pigeon.    Colonel 
tfinian  Edmonston  came  to  the  county  aboul  1808  and  settl<  .1  in  the 

valley  of  the  Pigeon.    II-  represented  thi nnty  Eor  a  long  number 

of  years,  with  conspicuous  ability,  in  tin-  State  Legislature.  Two  of 
h,s'  sums  were  kill-!  in  the  Civil  war.  A  biography  of  Colonel 
Bdmonston  appears  in  another  chapter  ...  this  volume. 

Jonathan  Plot!  moved  to  Pigeon  about  1830  ......I  taughl  school 

for  a  nun. I-,-  of  years.     He  then  boughl  a  Earm  ...  Pig valley 

and  became  a  su sssful  Earmer.     He  has  many  .l--n.h-.nts  living 

in  this  county  and  in  other  States.    1..  1826  Wm.  II.  Hargrove  moved 

from  Mecklenburg  County  and  Bettled  mi  Pigeon.    II-  was  a  skilled 

,,,.  ,,:,.,,  m  i.i  t.  but  s,,n,-  of  his  brick  chimneys  are 

,    W.  H.  Hargrove,  Canton,  W.  M.  Hargi 

N     v    !-     .,,..-,,  and  Dr   J,  I'    Hargrove  of  Raleigh,  are  grandsons 

of  his. 

Aboul  the  first  of  th nth  century  Ellis  Edwards  moved 

to  thai  section  of  th mnty  Erom  beyond  the  Blue  Ridge  in  Burke 


94 

County.  His  children  were  Thomas  S.,  Benjamin,  Rev.  P.  W.,  Rev. 
James,  Mrs  Mary  Howell.  Mrs.  Eelia  Anil  Pickens,  and  Miss 
Asseneth  Eiwards,  all  now  dead.  About  1830  William  D.  Kirk- 
patrick  came  from  Rutherford  County  and  bought  land  on  Pigeon. 
He  left  several  daughters,  but  no  sons.  John  Gooch  came  to  this 
county  about  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  and  settled  on  wdiat 
is  now  known  as  the  Osborne  farm.  His  only  child,  a  daughter, 
married  Ephriam  Osborne.  One  son  of  that  union  yet  survives,  A 
J.  Osborne. 

Silas  Wilson  came  from  Catawba  County  about  1818  and  pur- 
chased lands  on  Pigeon  River  in  this  township.  The  Blaylock  fam- 
ily came  about  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  and  estab- 
lished homes  there.  Several  representatives  of  the  family  have 
held  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  In  1854  Oval  Terrell 
moved  to  Pigeon  from  Rutherford  County  and  bought  lands.  His 
name  is  still  well  known  in  the  county.  William  Mehaffey  came 
from  Pennsylvania  about  1802.  Some  deseendents  of  the  name  still 
live  in  the  county. 

Rev.  John  Evans  wTas  one  of  the  pioneer  ministers  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  and  did  much  toward  the  building  up  of  that  faith  in 
the  Bethel  section.  There  are  still  some  survivors  of  his  family  in 
the  county.  Other  families  moved  in  from  other  counties,  among 
them  the  Ledbetters.  the  Kinslands.  the  Aliens,  the  ^hbdarmers.  tlie 
Presslys,  *the  Plesses,  and  others  who  have  contributed  to  the  up- 
building of  the  township  and  county. 

Pigeon  township  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  The  lands 
on  the  Pigeon  River  are  fertile.  Beautiful  mountain  scenery  greets 
the  eye  on  every  hand.  At  Bethel,  in  the  beautiful  Sonoma  valley, 
are  three  churches,  two  stores  and  several  dwellings.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  North  Carolina.  There  is  also  a  good 
Graded  School  that  was  established  some  years  ago.  The  building 
is  a  two-story  brick  structure  and  is  well  adapted  to  school  uses. 

As  now  defined  the  township  has  an  ar  a  of  about  36  square  miles 
and  a  population  of  over  2,000.  The  taxable  valuation  of  property 
in  1908  is  $252,301. 


Crabtree. 

Crabtree  is  one  of  the  early  precincts  of  the  county,  being  es- 
tablished as  such  about  1810.  It  gets  its  name  from  Crabtree  Creek 
that  runs  through   its  borders.     Its   people   are   among   the   most 


95 

prosperous  in  the  countj  and  ba^  •  always  been  progressive  and 
industrious. 

.\i  first  the  township  included  a  greal  deal  more  territory  than 
it  does  at  present;  but  iron  Duff,  White  Oak,  and  Cattaloochee  have 
been  formed  oul  of  its  original  boundaries  and  al  presenl  it  con- 
tains only  about  '>\  Bquare  miles.  The  boundaries  are  clearly  defined, 
aing  "ii  Pigeon  River  al  or  aear  the  <>I<1  Marion  Ferguson  farm 
the  line  runs  up  the  ridge  of  what  is  known  as  rlider  mountain 
connecting  with  Chambers  mountain;  thence  with  the  meanderings 
of  said  line  to  the  top  of  Sand}  Blush  Bald;  thence  Bouth-wesl  with 
the  divide  to  Crabtree  Bald;  thence  north  to  Oak's  Knob;  thence 
south-west  t<>  Pigeon  River  al  or  aear  Roach  Shoals;  thence  with 
Pigeon  River  to  the  beginning. 

Crabtree  is  one  of  the  most  thickly  settled  sections  of  the 
county.  In  1900  the  population  was  1269.  It  is  qow  estimated  at 
L500.  The  principal  in.lnsti-i.-s  are  farming  and  stock-raising.  Al- 
most every  farmer  is  a  raiser  of  fine  live  stock  !'<>r  which  the  town- 
ship is  noted  and  in  which  there  has  been  great  development  in  the 
last  decade.  In  this  section  there  is  already  grown  some  of  the 
finest   cattle  in  the  South. 

<  hi  Crabtree  Creek  some  of  the  earliest  settlements  in  the 
county  were  made  prim-  to  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
Among  the  early  settlers  was  Peter  Mason,  who  came  to  the  county 
aboul  the  year  1800.  Be  settled  on  Crabtree  and  opened  up  a  farm 
upon  which  lie  lived  to  the  rip.-  old  ag<  of  l<>7  years  when  he  died 
about  t  w -eut \  j  ears  ago. 

Other  prominent  men  who  settled  in  this  township  and  became 
well  known  were  Josiah  Craw  lord.  William  Penland,  John  Rogers, 
Silas  Kirkpatrick,  J.  Bradshaw,  Acton  McCracken,  John,  Enos, 
Joseph,  and  Russell  McCracken.  These  men  heroically  reclaimed 
tin  i«. rest  and  made  it  blossom  as  the  rose.  Other  substantial  citizens 
joined  them  or  followed  along  alter  their  time.  In  the  list  of  those 
win.  built  Crabtree  the  names  of  Nathan  Gibson,  William  Ferguson, 
Cyrus  Uo'jvrs.  Samuel  Ferguson,  Spencer  Walker.  W.  c.  Hill.  J. 
If.  McCracken,  Colonel  C.  C.  Rogers,  and  A.  T.  Rogers  hold  an  im- 
portant p,-irt.    They  were  the  heroes  in  peace,  who  felled  the  forests, 

built   roads  and  homes,  ere. -ted  schools  and  churches,  and  hla/.e.l  the 

way  for  civilization  and  progress. 

Crabtree  has  long  been  noted  tor  its  advai in  educational 

lines.  A  good  school  has  for  years  been  maintained  near  Rock 
Spring  Church  ami  by  it  many  young  men  ami  women  have  been 


prepared  for  college  find  schooled  for  the  active  duties  of  life.  In 
1905  the  Rock  Spring  district  voted  a  special  tax  for  schools  and 
since  then  free  tuition  for  eight  months  has  been  furnished  every 
child  that  attends. 

In  1908  the  taxable  valuatii  n  of  property  is  $186,1  7-. 


Iron  Duff. 

Iron  Duff  township  was  erected  in  1879  from  Crabtree.  Its 
boundaries  are  as  follows:  On  the  north  by  White  Oak.  west  by 
Jonathan's  Creek,  south  by  Waynesville,   east   by  Crabtree.     The 

Pigeon  River  divides  Iron  Duff  from  Crabtree.  It  contains  about 
twelve  square  miles  of  territory,  and  had  in  1900  a  population  of 
499.  The  population  is  now  estimated  at  600.  The  principal  indus- 
tries like  most  of  the  county,  are  farming  and  stock-raising  in  which 
considerable  progress  has  been  im.de  within  the  last  few  years. 
Some  fine  horses  and  mules  are  raised  in  the  township.  The  raising 
of  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  constitute  an  important  branch  of  industry; 
and  the  corn,  wheat,  oats,  aid  Irish  potatoes  of  Iron  Duff  are  among 
the  finest  in  the  county. 

In  historical  or  traditional  incidents  Iron  Duff  is  quite  rich. 
The  following  incidents  are  told  by  Hon.  J.  S.  Davis,  who  is  a  resi- 
dent of  this  township: 

"The  first  white  man  to  settle  in  what  is  now  Iron  Duff  town- 
ship was  Jacob  Shook,  whose  cabin  stood  where  the  school-house 
now  stands.  The  second  summer  after  his  location  here  he  died  of 
milk  sickness  and  his  remains  were  carried  to  Pigeon  River  and 
taken  in" a  canoe  up  the  river  about  seven  miles  to  the  home  of  his 
father.  David  Shook,  who  lived  just  above  where  Clyde  is  now 
located. 

"The  next  white  man  to  settle  in  the  present  bounds  of  Iron 
Duff  was  Aaron  MeDuff.  who  came  with  his  family  from  the  hills 
of  Scotland.  He  became  noted  as  a  scholar  among  the  few  settlers 
and  a  hunter  of  prowess.  He  was  the  leading  man  for  many  miles 
around  and  a  talker  of  great  magnetism.  At  his  cabin  the  early 
settlers  would  often  meet  to  hear  Aaron  Duff,  as  he  was  commonly 
called,  tell  stories  and  sing  songs,  and  to  hunt  with  him  the  deer 
and  wild  turkeys.  Thus  all  the  territory  now  included  in  Iron 
Duff  township  came  to  be  called  Aaron  Duff's  Bend,  and  was 
so  called  until  about  1873  when  the  first  postoffice  in  the  township 
was  established. 


97 

••  In  the  petition  senl  to  the  postoffiee  departmenl  al  Washington 
the  nam.'  suggested  for  the  postoffiee  was  Aar<  □  Duff,  but  the  depart, 
menl  rtruck  oul  the  word  Aaron  and  substituted  Iron  in  its  place. 
A  i'<-«  years  later  when  the  township  was  established  h  was  given  the 
name  of  the  postoffiee.  Thus  we  Bee  we  have  onlj  the  word  Duff  Lefl 
to  perpetuate  the  name  oi  Aaron  McDuff,  one  of  the  mosl  conspic- 
uous  pipneers   who  settled   in   western   North   Carolina." 

As  \\  ill  !"•  seen  the  Jacob  Shook  mentioned  in  the  above  was  not 
the  one  who  Bettled  on  Pig River  aboul  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, but  ;i  grandson  of  Ins. 

Among  the  prominenl  citizens  who  helped  to  make  Iron  Duff  an 
important  division  of  the  county  the  names  of  Daniel  Dotson,  John 
l>  Howell,  James  McElroy,  Andrew  Ferguson,  E.  R.  Ferguson,  Rilej 

Medford,  J.  L.  Smith,  F.  .M.  Davis,  J.  F.  Murray,  and  -I.  .M.  Q .,',. 

now  dead,  are  mentioned.    Three  of  these  represented  the  county  at 

different  times  in  the  L<  gislature,  and  all  of  them  m  II  I ored  and 

respected  in  their  day. 

In  1908  the  taxable  valuation  of  property  is 


Jonathan's  Creek. 


Jonathans  Creek  precincl  formed  in  1866  and  made  a  township 
is  1869  by  order  ol  the  county  commissioners,  was  one  of  the  first 
sections  ol  the  county  to  be  Bettled.  It  derives  its  name  from  the 
creek  that  flows  through  its  borders,  and  is  one  of  the  Eairesl  and 
richest  townships  in  the  county. 

Its  boundaries  on  two  Bides  are  natural.  On  the  west  the  Line 
runs  with  the  water  shed  between  Jonathan  and  Cattaloochee  and 
on  the  easl  with  the  ridge  between  Jonathan  and  Richland  creeks. 
It  touches  Ivv  Hill  on  the  south  and  Crabtree  and  White  Oak  on 
'I"'  north.  There  are  aboul  twenty  square  miles  within  its  Ih.hu, Is 
and  a  population  in  1900  of  1008.  The  population  is  estimated  now 
al  1200.  The  principal  industries  are  farming  and  stock  raising, 
supplying  an  abundance  of  corn,  wheat,  oats,  potatoes,  and  cattle 
for  market  ;m<!  home  consumption.  The  taxable  valuation  of 
property  in  1908  is  $1  10,594. 

11    '  •'  eally   Jonathans   Creek    is   «.i r   the   most    important 

townships  in  the  county,  for  here  is  where  son £  the  firsl  settlers 

located.     Some  of  the  first  grants  of  Land  in  the  present  lin 

the  county  were  entered  in  the  beautiful  valley  for  which  this  section 

ol"  ,( unty  is  noted.     The  creak   itself  received   its  name  from 


98 

Jonathan  McPeters,  who  was  one  of  the  first  white  men  to  look  upon 
its  limpid  waters.  Here  also  were  located  grants  to  John  and  Charles 
McDowell  as  well  as  one  or  two  to  John  Strother,  three  of  the 
early  land  owners  in  Haywood  County. 

Among  the  prominent  citizens,  who  assisted  in  the  development 
of  the  township,  the  names  of  Reuben  Moody,  David  Plott,  John 
Henry,  W.  G.  B.  Garrett,  D.  C.  Howell,  J.  D.  Rice,  Daniel  Allison, 
L.  C.  Caldwell,  and  Robert  Boyd  are  recorded  as  being  specially 
noteworthy.  These  men,  while  living,  were  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  the  county  and  have  left  descendants  who  also  stand  high  in  public 
matters. 

In  this  township  is  located  Rock  Hill  High  School,  one  of  the 
public  high  schools  of  the  county.  It  is  a  two  story  building  located 
in  a  thickly  settled  portion  of  the  township  and  enrolls  a  large  num- 
ber of  pupils  every  year. 


East  Fork. 

East  Fork  was  established  in  1867  from  Pigeon  and  takes  its 
name  from  the  fact  that  its  territory  is  located  upon  the  east  fork 
of  Pigeon  River.  It  contains  about  fourteen  square  miles  of  territory 
and  had  a  population  in  1900  of  651.  The  principal  industries  are 
farming  and  stock  raising.     The  chief  products  are  corn  and  grass. 

Historically  East  Fork  is  included  in  Pigeon  and  Beaverdam, 
for  the  first  settlements  made  in  the  township  were  made  by  people 
from  these  two.  Some  of  the  prominent  citizens  who  aided  in  the 
development  of  that  part  of  the  county  are  Isaac  Pless,  Isaac  Ivester, 
Josiah  Anderson,  Absolum  Trull,  Nathan  Knight,  Thomas  Crawford, 
Thomas  Lenoir,  Walter  Lenoir,  Laney  Trull,  Benjamin  Trull,  and 
Fidellis  Howell. 

Its  hitsory  has  already  been  given  in  the  story  of  the  county 
told  in  preceding  pages.  In  1908  the  taxable  valuation  of  property 
is  $181,530. 


Fines  Creek. 

Fines  Creek  township,  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county 
was  formed  from  Crabtree  in  1850.  It  lies  along  the  valley  of  the 
creek  from  which  it  takes  its  name,  including  about  100  square  miles 
of  territory  and  having  in  1900  a  population  of  1740. 


99 

In  tli.'  earliesl  days  o£  tli unty's  history   Pines  Creek  was 

called  Crystal  Creek,  In  some  of  the  old  grants  the  name  "Crystal" 
Creek  appears  frequently.  Later,  it  came  to  be  called  Twelve  Mile 
Creek,  bnl  it  was  found  out  afterward  thai  it  was  so-called  by  mis- 
take; and  still  Later,  aboul  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century 
its  nam.'  was  changed  to  Fines  Creek  on  a. •'•mint  of  a  singular  cir- 
cumstance occuring  on  its  l. auks.  Prom  a  narrative  written  twenty- 
us  ago  the  following  Btory,  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  work, 
is  copied : 

"Fines  Creek  was  named  in  honor  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Fines,  who  was  killed  by  a  band  of  Indians  and  buried  beneath  its 
Limpid  waters.     Man}   years  ago  Fines  passed  through  tins  part  of 

th tunty,  in  company  with  other  men,  after  Borne  [ndians  win.  had 

been  to  Tennessee  and  stolen  Bome  horses,  and  were  trying  to  make 
their  escape  when  tlmy  were  overtaken  by  Fines  and  others  on  the 
head  of  Jonathan's  Creek.  The  men  Beeured  their  horses  from  the 
cruel  [ndians,  and  started  on  their  way  back  home,  although  it  l-'il 
through  mountain  gorges  and  along  Indian  trails.  When  they 
reached  this  creek,  the  shades  of  nighl  fell  thickly  around  them, 
and  they  '••mid  no  Longer  make  their  way.  They  were  Losl  and  knew' 
not  whal  to  do.  As  this  country  was  then  In  ;i  wilderness  Btate, 
traversed  only  by  Indian  paths,  and  no  farm  houses  near  them 
where  they  could  stop  4o  real  their  weary  Limbs  and  be  secure 
from  the  wihl  beasts  that  then  roamed  over  the  forest,  thej  took 
up  '-amp  nnt il  morning. 

"It  was  in  mid-winter,  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow, 
and  the  streams  frozen  over.  Bow  Long  must  have  seemed  the 
night,  and  how  unpleasanl  they  must  have  been  in  thai  solitary  ramp, 
expecting  every  hour  to  be  attacked  by  the  Indians,  while  the  cry  of 
the  owl,  the  howl  of  the  wolf,  and  the  scream  of  the  panther  could 
be  heard  in  tin-  distance!  Early  on  the  following  morning  the 
Indians  .-am.-  upon  them,  killed  Fines,  and  perhaps  wounded  others. 
His  comrades  knew  nol  what  to  do  with  the  remains  of  their  friend. 
They  were  awa]  from  home,  thej  had  no  tools  to  diLr  a  grave  to  bury 
him  in.  ami  they  were  afraid  to  Leave  the  body  Lesl  it  be  devoured 
hy  the  hungry  wolves.  The  body  was  taken  by  Ids  friends  and 
placed  in  the  creek  cinder  the  ice  for  safe  keeping  until  they  could 
go  home  and  return.  When  they  returned,  they  could  nol  find  the 
corpse  anywhere,  and  they  supposed  thai  the  hungry  wolves  found 
it  and  \'<-i\  upon  it.  From  thai  time,  until  the  present,  the  creek 
is  known  as  Fines  <  freek." 

Firms  Creek  is  one  of  the  most  thickly  Bettled  townships  in  the 


100 

county.  It  has  within  its  borders  some  of  the  best  farming  lands  in 
the  western  part  of  the  State.  These  lands  are  well  adapted  to  the 
growing  of  wheat,  corn,  and  other  staple  products.  Somo  thirty 
or  more  years  ago  the  growing  of  tobacco  was  attempted  in  this 
township  and  it  proved  moderately  successful.  Later,  however,  it 
was  found  out  that  other  branches  of  industry  are  more  profitable 
and  the  growing  of  tobacco  has  been  abandoned.  Fines  Creek  is 
a  fruit  growing  section.  Apples,  peaches,  and  grapes  flourish,  and 
a  great  abundance  of  them  is  grown  every  year. 

The  boundaries  of  the  township  are  well  defined.  Beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  Waterville  Creek  on  the  border  of  Tennessee,  the 
line  runs'  with  the  State  line  north-east  by  Snow  Bird  mountain 
and  the  water  shed  to  .Mack's  Patch  in  the  Madison  County  line; 
thence  to  Sandy  Mush  Bald,  where  the  three  counties  of  Madison, 
Buncombe,  and  Haywood  meet ;  thence  to  Crabtree  Bald ;  thence 
with  watershed  to  Rush  Fork  gap;  thence  to  or  near  the  mouth 
of  Jonathan's  Creek  on  Pigeon  River;  thence  down  the  river  to  the 
beginning.  It  is  about  seventeen  miles  long  and  averages  more 
than  seven  miles  wide. 

Some  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  county  found  their  way  to 
Fines  Creek :  David  Russell.  Hughey  Rogers.  Robert  Penland,  and 
William  Ray  have  already  been  mentioned  in  the  chapter  on  " Early 
Settlments".  They  were  Revolutionary  soldiers,  and  after  whipping 
the  British  came  to  the  mountains  of  Haywood  County  and  built 
homes  for  themselves  and  families.  Their  descendants  still  live, 
forming  some  of  the  best  citizenship  in  the  county. 

In  Fines  Creek,  some  fine  specimens  of  magnetic  iron  ore  have 
been  found  in  the  last  few  years.  It  is  thought  that  a  valuable  mine 
will  some  day  be  worked  there. 

In  1908  the  taxable   valuation  of  property  is  $241,740. 


Ivy  Hill. 

Ivy  Hill  township  was  formed  in  1869  oul  of  Jonathan's  Creek, 
and  received  its  name  from  the  Ivy  Hill  postoffice,  which  was  estab- 
lished before  the  Civil  war.  and  named  on  account  of  the  abundance 
of  ivy  found  in  its  vicinity.  The  postoffiee  is  now  called  Plott.  The 
boundaries  of  Ivy  Hill  are  natural  and  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the 
Hove]]  farm,  the  line  runs  north-west  to  the  divide  between  Jona- 
than's Greek  and  Cattaloochee ;  thence  with  that  divide  to  the  Swain 
County  line)  fcence  with  the  Swain  line  south-west  to  near  Buneh's 


101 

Bald  on  the  Jackson  County  line  and  the  divide  to  top  of  Balaam, 
which  was  formerly  called  the  Potomac;  thence  by  the  divide  he- 
Jonathan's  Creek  and  Richland  to  Factory  branch;  thence 
north-weal  bj   Afaunej  Cove  to  the  beginning  al  Howell  farm. 

In  Bquare  miles  the  area  oi  tvj  Hill  is  about  55.  The  popula- 
tion in  1900  was  933,  bul  is  aow  estimated  a1  1200.  The  principal 
industries  are  Farming,  stock-raising,  and  lumbering.  Among  the 
product8  are  corn,  wheat,  fruits,  dairy  product8,  ;in<l  timber. 

In  [vy  Hill  Bome  of  the  finesl  natural  Bcenery  is  Found.  Tall 
mountains,  beautiful  valleys,  and  verdanl  Iand8cape8,  in  summer, 
Btrike  the  eye  in  every  direction.  The  crystal  haters  of  Jonathan's 
Creek,  as  they  leap  and  play  in  their  downward  career,  please  the 
eye  and  uelighl  the  ear.  Junaluska,  Plott's  Balaam,  and  Jonea'  Knob 
rear  their  heads  toward8  the  eaat,  while  to  the  we8l  the  Cattaloo- 
ehee  ranges  and  the  Greal  Smokies  pre8en1  a  wall  of  natural  beauty 
to  the  eye.  For  beautiful  and  inspiring  mountain  Bcenery  no 
place  in  the  world  can  surpass  Jonathan's  Creek  valley. 

In  early  historical  data  tvy  Hill  is  specially  notable.     It  was  in 
iwnship  thai  Jonathan  McPeters,  from  whom  the  creek  was 

naui.-.l.  1  uilt  the  first  house  in  thai  section  of  tl unty.     It   was 

built  at  the  i">int  now  known  as  Plott,  where  R.  H.  Plotl  now  Uvea. 
In  that  early  time  1 1 1 « ■  McFarland  brothera  al80  had  considerable 
grants  of  laud,  one  granl  bearing  the  date,  17-7.  A  little  later, 
aboul  1805,  Felix  Walker  moved  from  Burke  County  and  built  upon 
the  McPeters  land.  Other  prominent  citizens,  who  moved  in  later 
and  helped  to  build  the  township  were  John  Henry,  John  Leather- 
wood,  David,  Amos,  and  Osborne  Plott,  Daniel  and  John  Tvillian.  and 

Reuben  Moody  who  ha«  ' n  menti d  in  the  storv  of  Jonathan's 

Creek  bul  who  lived  within  the  presenl  limits  of  Tvy  TTill. 

,\.  much  of  the  history  of  Ivy  Hill  1ms  already  been  given  in 

this  work,  the  reader  is  referred  to  pr ding  pages  for  further 

information. 

In  1908  the  taxable  valuation  of  property  is  $185  2  14 


Clyde. 

Clyde  township  was  formed  in  l  -77  from  Pigeon,  Beaverdam, 
and  Waynesville.     At   tirst   it   was  called  Lower  Pigeon  in  contra- 
distinction to  Up]  a.     Later  the  township  waa  named  Hvde 
fp.m  the  little  town  thai  has  grown  up  on  the  hanks  of  the  P 
River  thai  flows  through  its  territory. 


102 

It  has  an  area  of  about  thirty  square  miles  and  a  population  in 
1900  of  1196.  The  chief  products  are  such  as  would  be  expected 
from  an  agricultural  section  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina. 
The  people  are  thrifty,  being  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  in 
merchandising,  and  in  raising  live  stock. 

In  the  earliest  days  of  the  county  there  were  important  settle- 
ments along  the  banks  of  the  river  near  where  the  town  of  Clyde 
now  stands.  The  Shooks,  the  Hayneses,  the  Osbornes,  the  Morgans, 
the  Stanleys, the  Rogerses, and  others  were  tilling  the  soil  and  raising 
their  cattle  before  there  was  a  town  in  the  county.  In  this  township 
some  of  the  first  settlements  were  made  and  some  of  the  oldest 
families  reside. 

Here  among  the  oldest  settlers  we  find  the  names  of  Levi 
Smathers,  Aaron  Fullbright,  Jacob  Shook,  David  Shook,  and  others, 
who  began  the  construction  of  a  civilization  upon  the  banks  of 
lower  Pigeon.  A  little  later,  Mills  Shook,  David  Hill,  Abel  Stamey, 
Jackson  Rogers,  Peter  Snider,  Judson  Osborne,  G.  N.  Penland,  H. 
P.  Haynes,  Allen  Haynes,  Thomas  Green,  W.  W.  Medford,  and  others 
who  might  be  mentioned  continued  the  building  of  the  structure  that 
the  first  settlers  had  planned. 

For  ninety  or  more  years  from  the  time  of  the  first  settlements 
the  valley  of  the  Pigeon  was  dotted  only  with  thrifty  farm  houses. 
There  was  no  town  or  even  the  seeming  possibility  of  one.  Neither 
Canton  nor  Clyde  was  yet  even  in  embryo.  But  in  1881  the  whistle 
of  the  locomotive  was  heard  at  Pigeon  River,  now  Canton,  and  the 
inhabitants  along  the  Pigeon  Valley  felt  that  the  door  of  opportunity 
so  long  closed,  was  about  to  be  opened  to  them.  The  railroad,  how- 
ever, halted  for  more  than  a  year  at  Pigeon  River,  and  the  inhabi- 
tants along  the  route  began  to  think  that  the  road  was  resting  too 
long  at  that  place. 

In  1883,  the  first  train  pulled  into  what  is  now  the  town  of  Clyde, 
but  what  was  then  only  a  stopping  place  for  the  train  with  hardly 
a  dwelling  house  in  sight.  Mr.  J.  M.  Shook  gave  the  lot  upon 
which  the  depot  was  built.  Mr.  J.  L.  Morgan  bought  from  Shook 
the  first  lot  ever  sold  in  Clyde.  Mr.  T.  M.  Green  built  the  first  store 
ever  erected  in  the  town.  Mr.  C.  L.  Smathers  followed  with  the 
next.  People  began  to  move  in  and  soon  Clyde  began  to  put  on 
the  appearance  of  a  town.  In  the  Legislature  of  1889  the  town  was 
incorporated  with  the  name  of  Clyde,  and  having  the  following 
officers:  II.  N.  Wells,  mayor;  B.  B.  Jones,  J.  Wiley  Shook,  and  J. 
L.  Morgan,  eommisisoners.     In  1890  there  were  90  people  living  in 


L03 


the  little  town;  in  1900  there  were  244.  Now  the  population  is  about 
400. 

In  Clyde  there  are  Bevera]  business  houses,  •  I > » 1 1 1 «_r  a  genera]  mer- 
chandise business,  a  dour  mill,  several  boarding  bouses  and  hotels, 

three    churches,    and    two    schools.     The    Hayw i    Institute,    the 

Baptisl    Associations)  school,   is  located   in  Clyde.     It   bas  ;i   g ! 

patronage  from  the  countj  and  some  pupils  from  other  counties. 
Besides  tins  institution,  the  public  school  for  the  town  and  distrid 
is  also  Iht<-.  The  town  is  noted  as  a  health  resort,  many  people 
from  the  Southern  and  Western  States  going  yearij  there  to  spend 
the  Bummer. 

In  1908  the  taxable  valuation  of  property   is  $236,758. 


White  Oak,  Cattaloochee,  and  Cecil. 

These  three  townships  have  been  formed  from  the  others  and 
their  history  has  been  told  in  the  narrative  already  set  forth.  White 
<>;ik  is  iii  the  northern  pari  of  the  county  on  the  righl  bank  of 
Pigeon  River.  It  had  ;i  population  in  1900  of  345  and  ;it  presenl  of 
aboul  450.  It  was  established  in  1895.  Cattaloochee  is  in  the  ex- 
treme north-western  pari  of  the  county,  situated  npon  Cattal bee 

and  Big  Creeks.  The  people  of  thai  portion  of  the  county  are  nearer 
to  Newport,  Tenn.,  than  to  Waynesville.  It  had  a  population  in 
L900  of  765.  Cecil,  a  small  township  in  the  south-eastern  pari  of 
the  county,  was  formed  in  L901  oul  of  portions  of  Pigeon  and  Easl 
Pork.  It  has  a  voting  population  of  aboul  50.  The  census  lias  never 
been  taken  as  il  lias  been  established  sine-  1900. 

While  being  remote  from  the  centre  of  the  county,  these 
townships  are  inhabited  by  a  thrifty  and  intelligenl  people.  They 
are  engaged  in  farming,  stock  raising,  and  lumbering.    They  have 

g 1   Bchools  and   churches  and   the  citizenship   is   fast    becoming 

prosperous  and  cultured. 

In  L908  the  taxable  valuation  of  property  is  as  follows:  Cat- 
taloochee $378,644:    White  Oak   $57,641;  Cecil   $105,208. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Men  of  the  Hour. 


Haywood  County  has  never  been  lacking  in  patriotic  and  de- 
voted men.  In  peace  and  in  war  her  stalwart  sons,  strong  in 
brain  and  brawn,  have  acquitted  themselves  nobly.  <  hi  the  farm, 
in  trade,  as  manufacturers,  doctors,  lawyers,  teachers,  preachers, 
statesmen,  soldiers  .the  men  of  Haywood  have  proven  themselves  to 
be  of  the  first  rank  nol  only  here  in  their  native  county  but  in  other 
States  and  among  other  people. 

While  that  is  true  of  the  past  it  is  no  Less  true  of  the  present. 
In  her  citizenship  of  the  day  the  story  of  the  county's  progress 
and  development  is  told  with  strong  anticipations  of  the  future. 
In  manhood,  in  brain  and  muscle,  in  genius  and  thrift,  in  progress 
and  pride,  the  sons  of  Haywood  arc  not  behind  any  in  the  old 
North  State.  The  story,  therefore,  of  some  of  our  leading  men 
will  not  be  uninteresting,  but  belongs  to  the  history  of  the  county. 


Judge  Gudger. 

James  Cassius  Lowry  Gudger  was  born  in  Buncombe  County, 
July  4th.  1837.  His  father.  Samuel  Bell  Gudger,  was  a  son  of  James 
Gudger  who  married  Annie  Love,  daughter  of  Colonel  Robert  Love. 
His  mother  was  Elizabeth  Siler  Lowry  of  Buncombe,  daughter  of 
James  Lowry  who  held  a  captain's  commission  in  the  war  of  1812 
and  who  served  several  terms  in  the  lower  house  of  the  State 
Legislal  ore. 

Judge  Gudger  was  educated  at  Sand  Hill  academy  and  Reem's 
Creek  High  School,  the  latter  being  now  known  as  Weaverville 
College  in  Buncombe  County.  B\>  first  course  of  law  study  was 
with  William  G.  Candler,  of  Asheville.  and  in  August,  1860,  he  was 


105 


Judge  J.  C.  L.  Qudger. 


■  Ibj  the  Supreme  Courl  to  practice  in  the  Courl  of  Pleas  and 
quarter  sessions  oi  his  Dative  county.  The  outbreak  of  the  <  livil  war 
interrupted  his  second  course  of  study  (1  wo  licenses  being  aeceasary 
al  thai  time  for  practice  in  all  th irts  of  the  State)  and  he  en- 
listed in  company  I.  25th  Korth  « '.i r<»l i n;i  infantry.  Upon  joining 
ln->  company,  July  22nd,  1861,  he  was  chosen  (sergeant  and  served 
jeant-major  for  two  years  and  afterwards  as  first  lieutenant 
and  adjutant. 

I"  Sept  1862,  he  took  pari  with  his  regimenl  in  the  in- 


106 

vestment  and  capture  of  Harper's  Ferry  in  Virginia,  and  a  few  days 
later  was  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Antietam.  In  the  spring  of  1864, 
with  his  regiment,  he  was  in  the  battle  of  Avery's  Farm,  and  m 
the  summer  and  fall  was  in  the  memorable  siege  of  Petersburg  and 
fought  in  the  battles  of  the  "Weldon  railroad.  Later,  in  March  and 
April,  1865,  he  was  in  the  storming  party  that  captured  Fort  Stead- 
man  and  fought  the  great  battle  of  Five  Forks. 

During  the  latter  engagement  he  was  captured  and,  after  a 
few  days'  confinement  in  Washington  City,  was  taken  to  Johnson's 
Island,  near  Sandusky,  Ohio,  where  he  was  held  as  a  prisoner  of  war 
until  released  on  parole  in  June,  1865.  Early  in  the  following  July 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Buncombe  County  and  at  once  resumed 
the  study  of  law,  his  second  and  final  license  being  received  in 
June,  1866.  He  moved  to  "Waynesville  in  December,  1865,  and,  early 
.'n  the  following  year,  was  appointed  attorney  for  Haywood  County, 
letaining  that  position  until  the  office  was  abolished  under  the  Re- 
construction Acts  of  1867. 

His  ability  and  popularity  were  fully  demonstrated  when,  in 
August,  1878,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  North 
Carolina,  receiving  a  majority  of  75,000  in  the  State  and  every  vote 
but  one  in  Waynesville.  During  his  term  of  office  Judge  Gudger 
held  court  in  every  county  in  the  State.  After  his  retirement  from 
the  bench  he  continued  the  practice  of  law,  in  Waynesville,  until 
1  y94  when  he  was  appointed  to  a  position  in  the  treasury  department 
at  Washington,  a  position  he  still  retains. 

Judge  Gudger  was  married,  August  28,  1861,  to  Mary  Godwin 
Willis,  of  Buncombe  Comity,  who  died  Dec.  1891  in  Waynesville. 
Of  four  children  born  to  them  three  survive:  Eugene  Willis  Gudger, 
professor  of  biology  in  the  State  Normal  College  at  Greensboro,  took 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  from  the  Johns  Hopkins  Univer- 
sity in  1906  and  is  now  serving  his  second  year  in  the  State  college; 
David  S.  Gadger,  now  in  the  jewelry  business  in  Asheville;  and 
Aiinie  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Ch?.s.  E.  Quinlan,  of  Waynesville.  Mary 
Inez,  another  daughter,  died  in  1899. 


Judge  Ferguson. 

Garland  Sevier  Ferguson  was  born  in  this  county,  May  6th, 
1843.  His  father,  William  Ferguson,  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina 
but  came  to  Haywood  with  his  parents  when  quite  young.  His 
grandfather  was  Robin  Ferguson,   who    emigrated    from    Tyrone 


107 


County  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland  to  Souft  Carolina  while  a 
youngman.  His  mother  was  Ruth  Gibson,  daughter  of  Nathan  Gib- 
s,,ii   of  Burke  County,  this  State. 

judge  Fergue sperienced  many  difficulties  in  acquiring  an 

education,  owing  to  the  meagre  opportunities  afforded  by  a  sparsely 
.ettled  community.  He  was  a  farmer's  son  and  was  busj  with  arm 
work  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  when  he  enlisted  al  the 

„,-  eighteen  ...  Company  P  of  the  25th  North  Carolina  infantry. 
He  entered  milltarj  Bervice  ...  June,  1861,  and  served  continuously 
to  the  close  of  the  war. 

Daring  his  term  of  Bervice  he  was  promoted  from  private  to 
sergeant  and  ...    1864,  was  .missioned  second  lieutenant.     With 


Judge  «'-    . 


108 

his  regiment  he  was  in  some  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  war,  and 
if  the  testimony  of  his  comrades  is  reliable,  he  was  a  gallant  and 
fearless  soldier.  lie  was  wounded  three  times,  the  last  wound,  re- 
ceived at  Petersburg,  Va.,  crippling  him  so  badly  that  he  has  never 
fully  recovered  from  its  effects.  That  wound  ended  his  career  as 
a  soldier  and  came  near  ending  his  life,  for  he  was  laid  up  in  the 
hospital  for  four  or  five  months. 

Keturning  home  late  in  August,  1865,  and  while  still  on  crutches 
he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  and  re-elected  in  1868, 
resigning  the  office  in  1871.  While  holding  the  position  as  clerk  he 
studied  law  under  the  guidance  of  J.  C.  L.  Gudger  and  W.  L.  Nor- 
wood, both  of  whom  have  since  served  terms  upon  the  bench,  and 
was  licensed  to  practice  in  1867. 

In  1871  Judge  Ferguson  formed  a  law  partnership  with  his 
brother,  W.  B.  Ferguson,  which  continued  until  1878  when  he  was 
elected  solicitor  for  this  judicial  district,  which  position  he  held 
until  1882.  Before  becoming  solicitor  he  represented  the  county  in 
the  Senate  during  the  session  of  1876-77.  In  1902  he  was  nominated 
for  the  position  of  judge  in  this,  the  sixteenth  judicial  district,  over 
Judge  Jones,  of  Franklin,  who  had  just  been  appointed  to  the  office 
by  Gov.  Chas.  B.  Aycock.  He  was  triumphantly  elected  at  the 
polls  and  is  now  serving  his  sixth  year.  He  has  held  court  in  most 
of  the  counties  of  the  State,  and  everywhere  he  is  regarded  as  an 
upright  judge. 

For  thirty  years  Judge  Ferguson  was  active  in  the  politics  of 
this  county  and  district.  He  is  a  ready  speaker  and  in  the  political 
campaigns,  previous  to  his  being  elected  to  his  present  position,  his 
services  as  a  campaigner  were  in  demand. 

November  22,  1866,  Judge  Ferguson  was  married  to  Sarah  F. 
Norwood-,  sister  of  Judge  W.  L.  Norwood  of  Waynesville.  Their 
children  are :  Nathan  N.,  Sarah  Frances,  now  Mrs.  E.  J.  Robeson, 
of  Gainsville,  Ga.,  James  W.,  Joseph  B.,  Garland  S.,  Jr.,  John  N.,  and 
Lillian.  The  three  sons  first  mentioned  are  now  living  in  Waynes- 
ville. Garland  S.  Jr.,  is  a  rising  young  lawyer  of  Greensboro  and 
John,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis, 
is  now  an  ensign  on  the  battleship,  Massachusetts,  and  holds  the 
world's  record  as  a  marksman  with  an  eight-inch  gun,  a  distinction 
he  won  in  1907  at  target  practice  off  the  coast  of  California. 


Judge  Norwood. 

William  Lucas  Norwood  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  C, 

July  1st.  1841.    Bis  father,  James  H.  Norw 1.  was  a  aative  of  Hills- 

boro  and  a  graduate  of  the  State  University,  where  he  was  a  class- 
mate of  Governor  and  United  States  Senator  W.  A.  Graham.  En 
1846  James  II.  Norwood  moved  with  his  family  to  Haywood  County 
and  engaged  in  the  praeti< t  law  for  a  time  and  for  several  years 


110 

conducted  a  classical  school.  He  received  an  appointment  as  Indian 
agent  in  1851  and  was  sent  among  the  Sioux  Indians  on  the  north- 
west frontier  and  was  murdered  by  white  desperadoes  in  1852  at 
a  place  known  as  Sargents  Bluff  on  the  Missouri  River.  "William 
Norwood,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  also  a  native 
of  this  State,  and  was  superior  court  judge  for  sixteen  years. 

Judge  Norwood's  mother  was  Sarah  Benners  of  Newborn, 
daughter  of  Lucas  Benners,  one  of  the  old  time  planters  of  that 
section. 

After  the  death  of  his  father  in  1852,  Judge  Norwood,  not  yet  in 
his  teens,  was  sent  to  the  famous  Bingham  school  at  Mebane,  then 
in  charge  of  "William  Bingham,  father  of  Colonel  Robert  Bingham 
of  Asheville.  There  he  remained  four  years.  Afterwards  he  attended 
school  one  year  in  Macon  County  under  the  tutelage  of  Leonidas 
F.  Siler. 

After  leaving  school  he  became  a  teacher  in  Haywood  County 
and  was  engaged  in  this  occupation  until  1860  when  he  went  to 
Arkansas.  Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  war  between  the  States  in  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Capt.  McKane's  company  of  Arkansas  State  troops  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Fort  Smith,  Ark.  He  served  throughout  the 
war  in  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery  organization.  He  was  for 
two  years  in  McNally's  battery  of  Pine  Bluff.  Ark.,  and  about  one 
year  in  companies  of  authorized  scouts.  His  early  infantry  expe- 
rience was  mostly  with  company  B  of  the  fifth  regiment  of  Arkan- 
sas troops.  He  was  engaged  in  many  skirmishes  and  several  big 
battles,  notably  the  battles  of  Wilson's  Creek,  Elk  Horn,  Corinth, 
Iuka,  and  Yieksburg. 

Returning  to  this  county,  at  the  close  of  hostilities,  -Indue  Nor- 
wood studied  law  and  obtained  county  court  license  in  1866,  and 
superior  court  license  in  1867.  He  has  continued  the  practice  of 
his  profession  since,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  was  on  the 
superior  court  bench.  He  was  elected  to  that  high  position  in 
November,  1894,  and  served,  until  his  resignation  in  1899. 

Judge  Norwood  was  married,  March  4th,  1872,  to  Anna  Dink- 
worth  of  Brevard.  Of  six  children  born  to  them  only  two  are 
living,  namely:  John  Wr..  his  law  partner,  nad  Louise  B.,  now  Mrs. 
Robert   C.   Lawrence,   of  Lumbert  m,  N.  C. 


W.  B.  Ferguson. 

William  Burder  Ferguson  waa  bora  in  this  county  May  17th, 
lg  -  His  father  w.-is  William  Ferguson,  a  native  of  South  Caro- 
lina and  ;i  ^"ti  of  Robin  Ferguson  who  emigrated  while  a  young 
man  from  Tyrone  County  in  Ireland  and  firsl  settled  in  South 
Carolina.  The  mother  of  W.  B.  was  Ruth  Gibson,  daughter  of  Nathan 
<  tibson  of  Burke  <  founty. 

After  his  preliminary  education  at  the  Bchoola  of  the  county, 


112 

Mr.  Ferguson  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  May. 
ii  Gilmer  County,  Georgia,  where  lie  had  gone  to  live.  In 
August  of  the  same  year  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army,  going 
into  service  as  first  lieutenant  of  company  E.  twenty-ninth  North 
Carolina  regiment  under  the  command  of  Colonel  B.  B.  Vance.  He 
served  through  the  East  Tennessee  campaign  and  was  in  the  battl< 
of  Murfreesboro. 

Later  he  was  in  the  operations  around  Vicksburg,  and  took  part 
in  the  engagements  at  Koine.  Ga..  Kenesaw,  Mountain,  and  Atlanta. 
Shortly  after  the  fall  of  that  city  he  was  retired  for  physical  dis- 
ability, and  returned  to  Haywood  County  about  the  close  of  the  war 
Here  he  taught  school  several  terms  and  read  law  relative  to  North 
Carolina  practice.  After  two  years  spent  in  Texas  he  returned  to 
Waynesville  where  he  has  since  resided,  practicing  his  profession 
and  attending  to  his  farming  interests.  Mr.  Ferguson  has  served  as 
mayor  and  town  commissioner  of  Waynesville  and  is  a  prominent 
and  substantial  citizen. 

He  was  married  August  26th.  1866  to  Laura  A.  Reeves,  a 
daughter  of  John  Reeves  of  Madison  County.  Seveii  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  all  living.  The  extraordinary  careers  and  abil- 
ities of  their  four  sons  mark  this  family  as  one  of  national  distinc- 
tion. Herbert  E.  is  mayor  of  Waynesville  and  Democratic  nominee 
for  the  Legislature.  Homer  L..  is  a  graduate  of  the  United  States 
Naval  Academy  and  Naval  Construction  Officer  tor  the  Newport 
News  Shipbuilding  Company.  Harley  B.  is  a  graduate  of  West  Point, 
a  captain  in  the  United  States  Engineer  Corps,  and  in  charge  of 
extensive  river  improvements  with  headquarters  at  Montgomery, 
Ala..  William  B.  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  United  States  Naval 
Academy,  and  is  in  eharge  of  naval  construction  at  Quincy,  Mass. 
The  daughters  are  Ida  L..  wife  of  Rev.  John  C.  Orr,  presiding 
elder  of  the  Knoxville.  Term,  distinct.  Marjorie  and  Maud,  wife  of 
Mr'.  Shuford,  of  Hickory. 


Dr.  B.  F.  Smathers. 


Benjamin  Franklin  Smathers  was  born  in  Buncombe  near  the 
boundary  line  of  Haywood  County  on  Augusl  3,  1851,  and  comes 
from  a  family  whose  descendants  are  more  numerous  than  any  other 
family  in  this  county.  His  father,  John  Charles,  'still  living  at 
Turnpike)  and  his  grand  father.  George  Smathers.  were  both  born 
in    Haywood,    the    latter    passing   away    at    the    ripe    aire    of   !>(>. 


113 

Mis  mother  was  Lucilla  Johnson,  daughter  of  Harry  Johnson, 
wli,»  came  t"  tins  country  when  aboul  ten  years  old,  and  was 
verj    popular   among   ili«'   citizens    of   earl}    days.      Dr.    Smathers 

lucated  al  the  Behools  here  and  at  .Mills  River  Academy  in 
Henderson  County.  He  then  wenl  t<>  Philadelphia  where  he  Btudied 
dentistry  at  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College,  and  *  ced  his 

jion  ;it  WayneBville  ever  Bince.  Citj  and  county  affairs  have 
always  been  of  Bpecial  interesl  t<>  him  and  his  work  lias  justly 
placed  linn  in  the  rank  of  public  spirited  citizens.  He  is  at  present 
s  member  <>f  tli«'  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  lias  been  a  member  <>f  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Graded  School  since  its  organization.  He 
me  of  the  founders  of  the  Waynesville  Academy,  and  held  the 
office  of  County  treasurer  one  term,  1886-88.  Dr.  Smathers  was  mar- 
ried August  1st..  187§  to  L.nira  W.  Howell,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  I>. 
('  Howell  of  this  cniinu  .  Of  eleven  children  born  to  them,  uine  are 
living:  Adora,  Dr.  Jobjj  II..  Jerry  R.,  Prank,  bow  a  lawyer  at  At- 
lantic City,  N.  J.,  Clem  8.,  Robert,  Lyda,  Will  and  Wilsie. 


E.  P.  Hyatt. 

Elisha  Parker  Hyatt,  one  of  the  oldest  living  oatives  of  Hay- 
wood County,  was  born  on  the  <>hl  homestead  of  lus  father  near 
Waynesville,  April  16th,  1823.  He  is  the  son  of  Elisha  Hyatt,  also 
born  in  this  county,  ami  grandson  of  Edward  Hyatt,  one  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  this  sed  i<>n. 

Left  fatherless  at  the  age  of  five  years,  and  being  one  of  a  very 
large  family,  his  educational  advantages  were  of  the  most  meagre 
kind,  and  he  became  early  inured  to  hard  work  and  frugal  li\m<_r. 
He  remained  on  the  farm  until  the  Bpring  of  1864  when  he  joined 
the  <  lonfederate  army,  enlisting  in  tin-  sixth  North  Carolina  regimenl 
and  was  afterwards  transferred  to  the  sixty-ninth  I  Thomas'  Legion.  I 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Martinsburg,  Winchester,  Staton,  Cedar 
Creek,  Harpers  Perry,  and  other  minor  engagements,  and  was  three 
times  wounded.  He  served  until  the  surrender  in  April.  1865,  his 
last  commander  being  Colonel  James  R.  Love.  His  eldest  son, 
William  D.  Hyatt  had  preceded  him  in  the  army  enlisting  at  the  age 
of  seventeen    Two  years  later  this  gallant  boy  was  killed  in  battle. 

Returning  to  ins  bereaved  and  desolate  hem.'  he  again  took  up 
the  straggle  of  life  with  unflinching  courage,  and  with  such  success 
that  he  not  .miy  educated  and  started  Ins  children  well  <>n  their 
careers  hut   is  also  regarded  as  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in 


114 


E.  P.  Hyatt 

Haywood  County.  Although  in  his  eighty-sixth  year  Mr.  Hyatt  is 
still  actively  at  work  on  his  big  farm,  and  bids  fair  to  enjoy  his 
serene  and  kindly  old  age  for  many  years  among  his  numerous  des- 
cendants. 

He  was  married  in  January,  1845  to  Miss  Dorcas  Dougherty,  of 
Buncombe  County,  who  died  in  1900.  Of  eight  children  born  to 
them,  five  are  living:  F.  Taylor,  Pinckney  E.,  John  B.,  Jefferson  D., 
and  Robert  E. 


115 


Attorney-General  Gilmer. 

Robert  D.  Gilmer,  the  present  attorney-general  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  bora  in  Mount  Airy.  Surry  County,  N.  C,  May  2nd,  1858. 
His  father,  Samuel  L.  Gilmer,  was  b  native  of  Guilford  County  and 
a  well  knows  business  man.  Hia  mother  was  Matilda  Moore,  grand- 
daughter  of  Je«ie  Franklin,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  governor  of 
the  Stat.-  and  United  States  Senator. 

Mr.  Gilmer  was  educated  at  Emory  and  Benry  College  in  Vir- 
ginia and  read  law  under  Dick  and  Dillard  in  Greensboro.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  iss:i  and  located  in  Waynesville  in  1885. 


110 

For  fifteen  years  he  was  a  leading  attorney  at  the  Haywood  County 
bar. 

The  young  lawyer  was  soon  attracted  into  politics,  and  in 
1888  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Executive  Committee  of  Hay- 
wood County.  In  1890  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  braneh  of  the 
State  Legislature  and  re-elected  in  1892.  While  in  the  General 
Assembly  Mr.  Gilmer  took  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  education  and  especially  championing  a  bill  establishing  the 
State  Normal  and  Industrial  College  at  Greensboro.  After  the 
College  became  a  reality  Mr.  Gilmer  was  appointed  on  the  board 
of  trustees  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  he  was  elected  attor- 
ney-general in  1900. 

In  1896  he  was  presidential  elector  on  the  Democratic  ticket 
for  the  ninth  congressional  district  and  made  an  effective  and  able 
campaign.  His  campaign  that  year  brought  the  attention  of  the 
mountain  people  to  him,  and  in  1900  he  won  the  nomination  for 
attorney-general  over  an  able  opponent  and  was  elected  by  over 
sixty  thousand  majority  at  the  polls.  He  filled  the  office  so  accept- 
ably that  in  1904  he  was  renominated  without  opposition  and  re- 
elected  by  another  big  majority.  He  is  now  serving  the  last  year  of 
his  second  term. 

Besides  the  positions  already  mentioned  General  Gilmer  was  for 
two  years  a  member  of  the  Graded  School  board  of  Waynesville  and 
rendered  material  assistance  in  getting  those  schools  organized  and 
in  good  running  order. 

February  26th,  1884,  Mr.  Gilmer  married  Love  Branner,  of 
Asheville,  a  great  granddaughter  of  Colonel  Robert  Love  and 
daughter  of  Joseph  Branner,  a  native  of  Jefferson  County,  Tennes- 
see. Their  two  children  are  Branner,  a  young  attorney  of  Waynes- 
ville and  Josephine,  now  at  school  in  Raleigh. 


Colonel  Stringfield. 

William  Williams*  Stringfield  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn., 
May  7th,  1837. 

The  founder  of  the  American  branch  of  the  family  was  Richard 
Stringfield,  who  settled  in  Virginia  in  colonial  times.  James  String- 
field,  a  descendant  of  Richard,  held  a  captain's  commission  in  the 
Continental  army,  and  with  his  son  John  were  among  the  early 
pioneers  of  western  North  Carolina  in  the  days  immediately  suc- 
ceeding the  Revolution.     John  Stringfield  left  a  son,  Rev.  Thomas 


117 


CdI.  W.  W.  Stringfield 

Stringfield,  who  was  a  widely  known  preacher  of  the  early  days  in 
K;tst  Tennessee  ami  editor  of  the  Southwestern  Christian  Advocate, 
the  first  organ  of  the  M.  B.  Church,  South,  being  elected  to  thai 
position  by  the  Conference  in  1836.  This  distinguished  preacher, 
soldier  (he  was  severely  wounded  while  Berving  as  chaplain  in  An- 
drew Jackson's  arm}     and  writer  « i i < -« 1  at  Strawberry  Plains.  Tenn., 

.Finn-    12,    1858 

Colonel  Stringfield  is  a  s6n  of  the  aoted  divine  above  men- 
tioned, and  \\ as  reared  and  educated  at  Strawberry  Plains,  where 
he  spent  M  large  portion  of  his  boyhood  days. 

In  1861,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  he  enlisted  as  &  pri- 
vate  in  Company  F.  Kir-st  Tennessee    cavalry    and    Berved    under 


118 

General  Zollicoffer  in  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  During  the  follow- 
ing winter,  while  at  home  on  sick  leave,  he  organized  company  E, 
thirty-first  Tennessee  infantry  and  was  elected  its  captain.  He 
served  in  this  regiment  until  September  27th,  1862,  and  resigned  to 
accept  the  position  of  major  in  Thomas's  Legion  (sixty-ninth  North 
Carolina).  With  this  command  he  was  in  many  battles  and  minor 
engagements  including  Staunton,  Kernstown,  Winchester,  Stras- 
burg,  Berryville  and  others. 

In  December,  1864,  he  was  transferred  with  his  regiment  to  west- 
ern North  Carolina,  and,  being  put  in  command  of  the  department 
between  the  French  Broad  and  the  Hiawassee  Rivers,  he  performed 
gallant  service  in  the  closing  months  of  the  war.  While  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  in  that  capacity  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant 
colonel. 

About  the  last  of  April,  1865,  before  it  was  generally  known  in 
western  North  Carolina  that  Lee  had  surrendered,  Colonel  String- 
field  went  under  orders  from  General  Martin  at  Asheville  to  Knox- 
Ville,  Tennessee,  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  negotiate  with  the  Federal 
commander  at  that  place  for  the  surrender  of  the  department  of 
western  North  Carolina.  The  union  troops  at  Knoxville  disregarded 
the  flag  of  truce,  seized  Stringfield  and  his  companions,  and  threw 
them  into  prison,  where  they  were  held  for  more  than  a  month,  or 
until  all  hostilities  had  ceased. 

After  the  war  Colonel  Stringfield  settled  in  Haywood  County, 
but  from  1868  to  1872  had  business  interests  in  Asheville.  In  1879 
he  built  the  White  Sulphur  Springs  hotel  near  Waynesville  and  was 
proprietor  of  the  same  for  many  years,  or  until  he  sold  it  some  years 
afterwards. 

In  the  Legislature  of  1883  he  represented  Haywood  County  in 
the  lower  house.  In  1901  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  and  re-elected 
in  1903.  While  in  the  General  Assembly  he  was  ever  the  friend 
of  the  Confederate  veteran  and  was  instrumental  in  getting  enacted 
some  laws  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent  among  them.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Graded  School  board  of  Waynesville  for  ten  years. 
In  1871  he  was  married  to  Maria  M.  Love,  daughter  of  Colonel 
James  R.  Love,  and  grand-daughter  of  Colonel  Robert  Love.  Of 
Fev»n  children  born  to  them  six  are  now  living,  namely :  Dr.  Thomas, 
Dr.  Samuel  L.,  James  L.,  Sarah,  Linda,  now  Mrs.  H.  J.  Sloan,  and 
Margaret.  Mary  L.,  who  married  Mr.  J.  H.  C.  Wulbern,  of  Charles- 
ton. S.  C.  and  who  died  in  1907,  was  a  woman  of  strong  charactei 
and  vigorous  mind. 


119 


Capt.  W.  H.  Hargrove. 

William  Harrison  Hargrove  is  a  oative  of  Hay* 1  County  and 

WM  born  January  31st,  L841.     Hia  Esther  was  Augustus  Columbus 
Hargrove,  a  oative  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C,  who  removed 

a 1  in  1824  when  he  was  twelve  yeara  old. 

His  mother  was   Ellen  Childress,  born   \p   Buncombe  County, 
daughter  of  Samuel   Childreaa   who   removed   to   thia  State   from 


120 

Tennessee.  Captain  Hargrove  attended  the  public  schools  and  also 
the  private  school  of  John  M.  Melver  at  Waynesville. 

In  June.  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Captain  Lenoir's 
Company  of  the  twenty-fifth  North  Carolina  infantry.  He  was 
appointed  orderly  sergeant  in  1862.  and  soon  after  was  raised  to 
the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  and  captain.  He  was  engaged  in 
numerous  battles  and  skirmishes,  notably  Seven  Pines,  Harpers 
Ferry,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  operations  around  Petersburg, 
Weldon's  railroad,  Fort  Steadman,  and  Five  Forks.  During  the 
latter  engagement  he  rescued  Lieutenant  G.  S.  (now  Judge)  Fer- 
guson who  was  desperately  wounded  but  was  captured  himself  and 
sent  as  a  prisoner  of  war  to  Sandusky,  Ohio. 

He  was  released  in  June,  1865,  and  returned  to  Haywood 
County.  Captain  Hargrove  has  been  closely  identified  with  the 
affairs  of  the  county  especially  in  the  welfare  and  development  of 
Canton. 

He  has  served  on  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  has 
been  for  many  years  county  surveyor,  and  in  1888  was  elected  to 
the  Legislature  for  one  term. 

He  was  married  November  9th.  1869  to  Nancy  Louisa  Cathey, 
a  direct  descendant  of  Colonel  Joseph  Cathey  a  distinguished  set- 
tler of  Haywood  County.  She  died  in  June,  1882.  Their  children 
are:  James  Burton.  Joseph  A.,  Dr.  Theodore  A..  Florence,  now  Mrs. 
D.  F.  Rhinehart  of  Wavnesville,   and  William  Walter. 


Joseph  S.  Davis. 

Joseph  Smalley  Davis,  born  in  Haywood  County  December 
9th,  1852,  is  a  son  of  Francis  McGee  Davis,  who  was  also  born  here 
and  occupied  a  prominent  place  among  his  fellow  citizens  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Legislature  four  terms  and  who  held  other  important  po- 
sitions. 

Mr.  Davis's  mother  was  Miss  Angeline  Ferguson,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Ferguson,  both  natives  of  Haywood  County.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  the  county,  and  after  finising  his  education, 
was  engaged  in  teaching  at  intervals  for  about  ten  years.  He  has 
the  distinction  of  serving  as  magistrate  in  Iron  Duff  township  six 
years  without  ever  charging  a  fee. 

In  1892  he  was  district  lecturer  for  the  Farmers'  Alliance  and 
did  active  service  in  that  position.     He  was  elected  to  the  State 


121 


Joseph  S.  Davis 


Senate  in  1890  and  re-elected  in  1892;  elected  to  the  Lower  House 
in  1898,  and  again  in  l!M>4. 

In  ls!»:<.  while  in  the  legislature,  be  introduced  and  had 
passeii  the  liill  whieh  pave  the  prohibition  law  to  tins  county. 

He  was  married  in  Dee..  1878  to  Nancy  J.  Medford  who  died 
in  August,  1889.    The  two  children  by  this  marriage  are:  Grover  C, 

who  won  a  L'ohl  medal  in  the  «1^»h1  hmj"  <-o<(».M  at  <  uliowhee  High 
School  last  May,  and  Flora.  DOW  -Mrs.  \V.  EL  Boyd.  .Mr.  Davis  mar- 
ried »gain  in  1895,  his  wife  being  KHa  .Moody  of  tins  county.      Six 


122 

children  have  been  born  to  them,  all  living:  Moody,  Faraday.  Joseph 
Simmons.  Frank,  Est  her,  Lee  Ferguson. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South, 
and  a  member  of  Clyde  lodge  of  Masons.  Besides  taking  an  active 
interest  in  politics  he  is  a  good  farmer  and  has  taken  much  interest 
in  the   improvement  of  the  farming  interest  of  the  county. 


William  T.  Lee. 

William  Thomas  Lee  was  born  on  Jonathan's  Creek,  August 
14th,  1858.  His  father.  Henry  C.  Lee,  was  a  native  of  Cabarrus 
County,  but  moved  to  Haywood  in  1856  and  settled  in  the  Jonathan's 
Creek  valley.  He  was  a  prominent  and  successful  merchant  and 
farmer.  His  mother  was  Margaret  Henry  Lee,  daughter  of  Lorenzo 
Henry  of  this  county. 

While  a  boy  Mr.  Lee  was  sent  to  the  common  schools  of  the 
county  where  he  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  He 
further  pursued  his  studies  at  the  Waynesville  Academy,  thus  re- 
ceiving a  substantial  education  that  has  stood  him  in  good  stead  in 
all  the  different  experiences  he  has  met  with  since. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  and 
a  year  later  was  elected  town  marshal  of  Waynesville,  in  which 
capacity  he  was  conspicious  for  his  ability  in  enforcing  the  law 
and  preserving  good  order  in  the  community.  After  serving  two 
years  in  this  capacity  he  resigned  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Waynesville  in  which  he  has  since  continued,  the  present 
firm  name  being  Lee  &  Mock. 

Mr!  Lee  has  always  been  closely  identified  with  all  matters 
pertaining  to  Haywood  County.  He  has,  also,  been  deeply  inter- 
ested in  all  the  affairs  of  Wayensville.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
Mayor  of  the  city  as  well  as  treasurer  and  alderman.  In  1894  he 
was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature  and  served 
in  that  body  during  the  session  of  1895,  where  he  proved  himself  to 
be  active  and  fearless. 

As  a  politician  Mr.  Lee  is  aggressive.  For  four  years  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Haywood  County  Democratic  executive  committee 
and  waged  energetic  and  successful  campaigns.  At  present  he  is 
chairman  of  the  Democratic  executive  committee  of  the  tenth 
congressional  district,  having  been  -Chosen  to  that  position  in 
1906  and  again  in  1908.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  State  Demo- 
cratic executive  committee. 


L23 


William  T    Lee 

In  L903  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Aycock  as  ■  member 

of  tl ommission,  ordered  by  the  Legislature,  to  examine  the  con- 

dition  of  the  Atlantic  and  North  Carolina  railroad.    He  is  no*  preei- 
denl  of  the  Waynesville  board  of  trade  and  the  Haywood  County 

Fair  Association. 

Mr.  Lee  was  married  in  1883  to  Margarel  tthineharl  of  Way- 
neeville.  Of  their  nine  children  all  are  Livyif ;  Henry  ia  a  gtaduate 
of  the  United  stat.-^  Naval  Academy  and  an  ensign  on  the  battle- 
ship Rhode  lslan.1:  Lowry  is  in  l.nsin.-ss  with  his  father;  Clarine, 
Evelyn,  Anna.  Bessie,  William  T.  .Ir..  and  Charles  Alton. 


124 

Capt.  R.  A.  L.  Hyatt. 

Robert  Alney  La  Fayette  Hyatt  was  born  in  Haywood  County 
October  11th,  1862.  He  is  a  great  grandson  of  Edward  Hyatt,  one 
of  the  first  settlers  who  came  to  this  section  about  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  Avar,  and  whose  sketch  appears  in  this  book  in  connec- 
tion with  the  early  pioneers.  Captain  Hyatt's  grandfather,  Elisha, 
and  his  father.  R.  A.  L.  Hyatt,  were  born  in  this  county,  the  latter 
giving  up  his  life  in  the  cause  of  the  Confederacy  during  the  war 
between  the  States.  The  mother  of  Captain  Hyatt  was  Margaret 
Louisa  Mehaffey.  of  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Mehaffey. 

After  being  graduated  from  the  Waynesville  Academy  he  was 
granted  a  first  grade  certificate  as  a  .teacher  and  taught  school  sev- 
eral terms  in  the  county.  At  the  age  of  18  he  went  to  Texas  and 
was  engaged  there  about  two  years  in  the  lumber  business.  In 
1888  he  closed  up  his  interests  in  that  State  and  has  since  resided 
on  the  old  home  farm  near  "Waynesville. 

Having  a  strong  predilection  for  military  affairs,  he  joined  the 
State  guard  of  North  Carolina  and  served  seven  years  being 
Captain  of  his  company  four  years,  resigning  in  1895.  In  1898  he 
was  appointed  adjutant  of  the  second  North  Carolina  regiment  with 
his  present  rank  and  resigned  a  year  later  owing  to  the  demands  of 
business.  Again  in  May.  1901.  he  was  called  by  election  to  the  com- 
mand of  company  H  First  North  Carolina  regiment  which  he  held 
until  he  resigned  once  more  retiring  to  private  life. 

In  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  county.  Captain 
Hyatt  has  always  displayed  an  active  interest.  He  was  appointed  to 
the  office  of  county  treasurer  in  1889  to  fill  out  an  unexpired  term, 
and  was  twice  elected  to  the  same  position  resigning  in  1893.  In 
1898  he  was  again  appointed  treasurer  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  was  elected  to  the  same  office,  re-elected  in  1900  and  again  in 
1902.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  County  Board  of  Education  in 
1897  and  served  until  his  appointment  as  county  treasurer  in  1898. 
He  was  elected  to  his  present  office  in  1906  for  a  term  of  four  years. 

In  1902  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jincie  E.  M.  Patton.  a  native  of 
this  county  and  descendant  of  an  old  family  of  this  section.  In 
connection  with  his  brother.  Ira  M.,  road  master  of  the  county,  and 
under  the  firm  name  of  Hyatt  -Bros.,-  he  rC-^n4ucis  an  important 
business  in  surveying  and  real  estate.  Captain  Hyatt  is  an  enthu- 
siastic farmer  and  owns  several  fine  farms,  notably  his  splendid 
home  place  and  one  near  Canton  all  of  which  are  highly  cultivated. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Royal  Arcanum. 


V2~> 


Captain  K.  A.  L.  Hyatt 


126 

Major  J.  W.  Norwood. 

John  Wall  Norwood  was  born  in  Brevard,  N.  C,  Feb.  2,  1876,  and 
is  the  son  and  law  partner  of  Judge  W.  L.  Norwood.  His  home 
has  been  at  Waynesville  since  he  was  three  years  old.  After  acquir- 
ing a  liberal  education  from  the  local  school  and  at  the  University 
of  North  Carolina,  he  studied  law  at  the  latter  institution  and 
with  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Feb.  1898. 

Upon  the  outbreak  of  war  with  Spain  he  entered  the  service 
with  company  H,  first  North  Carolina  regiment.  On  Sept.  1st,  1899 
he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army  and 
assigned  to  the  twenty-third  United  States  infantry,  and  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment  April  1st,  1901. 
He  resigned  his  commission  Oct.  24th,  1905,  and  has  since  been 
in  active  practice  of  his  profession  with  his  father  at  Waynesville. 

During  his  service  in  the  army  he  was  engaged  in  important 
duties  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  and  was  four  times  officially  com- 
mended for  excellent  work.  He  spent  four  years  in  the  Philippines 
and  acquitted  himself  creditably  in  various  and  hazardous  assign- 
ments. He  was  with  the  second  expedition  from  Mindanao  to  Jolo 
against  the  hostile  Moros,  and  other  expeditions  around  Lake 
Lanas,  and  through  the  Rio  Grande  valley  against  the  insurgent 
Dattos. 

He  commanded  his  company  in  the  engagement  with  Datto  Ali 
and  his  men,  and  was  also  in  command  at  Bannison  and  the  fight 
at  Talayan  in  Mindanao.  Among  his  numerous  duties  on  detached 
service  he  acted  as  signal  officer  and  also  engineer,  his  report  of 
important  surveys  being  forwarded  to  the  Admiral  in  charge  of 
operations  in  the  islands. 

Besides  service  in  the  East  he  has  served  at  home  as  Captain  of 
company  H,  first  North  Carolina,  National  Guards,  and  was  ap- 
pointed by  Governor  Glenn  to  the  post  of  Asst.  Inspector-General 
with  the  rank  of  Major.  He  is  the  author  of  an  admirable  little 
book  of  instructions  to  private  soldiers  which  is  now  in  its  third 
edition  and  used  as  a  text  book  by  the  National  Guards  of  several 
States. 

Major  Norwood  was  married  Feb.  18,  1903  to  Miss  Emma  Dun- 
ham, daughter  of  Col.  B.  Dunham  of  Montgomery,  Ala.  She  was 
with  him  in  the  Philippines  and  underwent  the  many  hardships  in- 
cident to  the  wife  of  a  soldier  in  foreign  service. 


L27 


Major  J.  W.  Norwood 


William  J.  Hannah. 

William  Johnson  Hanaah  was  born  in  Cattaloochee  township, 
Aug.  3,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  John  J.  Hannah,  who  was  also  born  in 
tins  county.  His  mother  was  Martha  Simmmons,  a  native  of  Iredell 
County.     Both  parents  are  still  living. 

Mr.  Hannah  was  educated  at  Waynesville  Academy,  Wake 
For.-si  College,  and  the  State  University,  getting  his  law  training 
at  the  last  mentioned  Bchool.  He  stood  the  examination  before  the 
Supreme  Courl  in  1897  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  the  sami 
Previous  to  thai  time  he  had  read  law  for  two  years  under  the 
guidance  of  General  R.  l».  Gilmer,  ami  was  a  teacher  in  the  Bchoola 
of  the  county  for  aboul  six  years. 


128 

In  1894  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Haywood  County  and  re- 
elected in  1896.  In  April.  1898,  when  war  was  declared  against 
Spain  for  the  liberation  of  Cuba  he  promptly  volunteered  for  the 
war.  He  was  elected  captain  of  company  C,  composed  of  Haywood 
County  men.  and  assigned  to  the  fourth  regiment  of  North  Carolina 
State  troops.  Afterwards  the  company  was  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States  as  company  H  and  assigned  to  the  first 
regiment  of  North  Carolina  volunteer  infantry.  The  other  commis- 
sioned officers  of  the  company  were  Thomas  Stririgfield,  Hugh  A. 
Love,  and  Benjamin  Kirkpatrick. 

Leaving  Raleigh  for  the  seat  of  war  in  Cuba  the  regiment  ar- 
rived in  Jacksonville.  Fla.,  in  June  expecting  to  be  taken  at  once 
to  Cuba,  but  was  held  there  until  December.  In  that  month,  how- 
ever, the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Ilavanna  along  with  others  for 
the  occupation  of  that  city,  and  had  the  distinction  of  being  the 
first  regiment  to  bear  a  United  States  flag  through  the  streets  of 
the  Cuban  capital.  Captain  Hannah's  company  bearing  the  colors. 
The  war  being  over  the  company  was  mustered  out  of  service  at 
Savannah.  Ga-.  April  22.  1899. 

For  the  past  nine  years  Captain  Hannah  has  been  in  active 
practice  of  his  profession,  first  as  a  partner  of  Hon.  "W.  T.  Carwford, 
and  lately  by  himself.  At  the  request  of  the  mayor  and  board  of 
aldermen  of  Waynesville  he  compiled  the  presenl  code  of  the  city's 
laws,  which  was  printed  in  1907.  In  April  of  that  year  he  went 
with  his  family  to  Oklahoma  expecting  to  make  that  young  State 
his  h  >me,  but  he  returned  the  same  year  and  is  now  actively  iden- 
tit!"  I  w;th  the  interests  of  Waynesville  and  Haywood  County. 

In  1901  he  was  appointed  Judge  Advocate  General  on  the 
sraff  of  Governor  Chas.  B.  Aycock,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel  and 
skived  in  that  capacity  four  years.  In  September  1899  Colonel 
ll.'.-jjnah  was  married  to  Josephine  Tucker,  of  Tennessee.  They  have 
one  son;  William  Tucker,  who  was  born  Feb.  9,  1901. 


129 


William  J.  Hannah 


180 


John  F.  Eccne. 


John  Kacer  Bcone  v fras  born  in  Crabtr.e  township  November 
23,  1851.  His  father,  Marcus  L.  Boone,  was  also  a  native  of  Crab- 
tree;  but  his  grandfather,  Ka  ier  Boone,  came  to  this  county  while 
a  young  man  and  married  a  Miss  Moody  on  .Jonathan's  Creek.  Mr. 
Boone's  mother  was  .Miranda  Rogers  of  (rah  reo,  daughter  of  John 
Rogers  of  that  township.  The  family  dose  i:t  is  traced  back  to 
Daniel   Boone,   the   Celebrated    backwoodsman    and    hunter. 

After  acquiring  a  good  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county 
and  at  the  High  School  in  Franklin.  Mr.  Boone  engaged  in  teach- 
ing and  as  a  teacher  became  well  known  in  the  county.  He  was  for 
some  time  principal  of  the  High  School  in  Waynesville  and  as  such 
made  quite  a  reputation  as  a  teacher  and  disciplinarian.  Among 
his  pupils  were  some  who  have  since  become  prominent  citizens. 

In  1878.  he  was  solicited  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  office 
of  register  of  deeds.  He  was  nominated  and  elected.  In  that 
capacity  he  served  one  term.  In  1880  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
Superior  Court  of  Haywood  County  and  re-elected  each  four  years 
until  1898,  thus  serving  continuously  for  eighteen  years.  As  clerk 
Mr.  Boone  did  some  of  his  best  work  as  the  books  he  kept  during 
his  term  will  show. 

Mr.  Boone. was  always  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  educa- 
cation.  In  1899  when  the  Graded  Schools  of  Waynesville  were  or- 
ganized he  was  one  of  their  chief  supporters.  He  was  named  in  the 
bill,  organizing  the  schools,  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
chosen  as  chairman  of  the  board,  and  later  as  one  of  the  teachers 
in  the  school.  He  has  been  chairman  of  the  board  continuously  since 
its  organization  in  1899. 

In  1900  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  as  proprietor  and 
manager  of  the  Builders  Depot  near  the  railroad  station  in  Way- 
nesville and  has  built  up  a  profitable  business. 

He  was  married,  in  1878,  to  Mary  E.  Kerr,  daughter  of  Rev. 
William  M.  Kerr,  a  noted  Methodist  preacher  wdiose  labors  cov- 
ered all  the  State  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  living  children  are: 
J.  Mark,  Mary  A.,  Will  K,  Elizabeth  II.,  Anna,  Robert  H.,  James 
K.,  and  Roger.  Three  daughters,  Harriet,  Frances,  and  Ethel,  died 
in  the  bloom  of  young  womanhood. 

At  preesnt,  besides  being  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Graded  School,  Mr.  Boone  is  a  member  of  the  county  board 
of  education.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  an  influential  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church. 


i:;i 


John   K.  Boone 


John  Henry  Boyd. 

For  years  the  Boyd  family  has  been  prominent  in  the  affaire  of 
Haywood  County.  In  business  circles,  in  agricultural  interests,  and 
in  politics  representatives  of  the  family  have  taken  tedding  parts, 
and  have  acquitted  themselves  creditably. 

Originally  the  family  came  from  Tyrone  County,  Ireland.  In 
the  early  pari  of  the  mneteenth  century  the  elder  Boyd,  the  first 

of  the   nam.-    in    this   part    of   the   State,    eanie    from    the   old    country 

and  settled  in  Buncombe  County,  where  be  entered  large  tracts  of 
good  mountain  Land  and  became  a  successful  and  prosperous  farmer. 


132 

John  Henry  Boyd,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born,  April 
11,  1843,  on  Sandy  Mush  Creek  in  Buncombe  County,  where  his 
father  Robert  Boyd,  son  of  the  first  one,  was  then  living.  His 
mother's  name  was  Elizabeth  Garrett  Boyd,  a  woman  of  strong 
character  and  bright  mind. 

In  1853  Robert  Boyd  moved  from  Buncombe  to  Haywood 
having  bought  the  Welch  place  on  lower  Jonathan.  The  boy  was 
then  ten  years  of  age.  He  was  sent  to  school  at  Leicester  in  Bun- 
combe County  for  a  short  time  and  then  to  Rev.  William  Hicks  ana 
Prof.  J.  R.  Long  at  Tuscola.  He  was  at  school  in  Waynesville  in 
1861,  when  the  Civil  war  began. 

Leaving  school  at  the  first  alarm  of  war  Mr.  Boyd,  when 
eighteen  years  old.  enlisted  in  the  first  company  that  went  out  from 
Haywood  County,  which  company,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
R.  G.  A.  Love,  became  company  L  of  the  sixteenth  north  Caro- 
lina regiment.  After  being  mustered  into  service  at  Raleigh  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  north-west  Virginia  and  was  in  camp  for 
a  month  at  Valley  Mountain,  Va. 

Going  then  into  active  service  Mr.  Boyd,  with  his  company,  was 
in  the  command  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee  in  West  Virginia  during 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1861.  After  spending  the  winter  at  Wolf 
Run  Shoals  the  regiment  was  sent  to  Yorktown  and  participated  in 
the  peninsular  campaign,  being  in  the  battles  of  Williamsburg  and 
Seven  Pines.  A  few  weeks  later  the  Seven  Days  battles  around 
Richmond  were  fought  and  Mr.  Boyd,  with  his  company,  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  being  once  slightly  wounded  by  the  bursting 
of  a  shell. 

in  the  fall  of  1862  he.  with  his  regiment,  was  transferred  to 
Thomas's  Legion  and  thereafter  did  active  service  in  East  Tennessee, 
being  in  some  of  the  battles  in  that  district.  His  company  was 
known  as  company  E  of  that  command.  In  April  1861  Mr.  Boyd  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Carter's  Depot,  carried  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and 
held  for  a  year.  He  was  released,  by  exchange,  in  April,  1865,  and 
reached  home  about  the  time  of  the  close  of  the  war. 

For  a  year  after  the  war  Mr.  Boyd  went  to  school  and  then 
began  active  life  as  a  farmer,  in  which  he  has  been  successful  in 
accumulating  quite  a  good  deal  of  property.  He  has  been,  qnjte  in- 
fluential in  the  affairs  of  the  county,  being  for  some  years  tax  col- 
lector and  for  one  term  sheriff.  He  has  always  been  a  friend  of  edu- 
cation and  ever  on  the  side  of  progress. 

December  3rd,  1867,  Mr.  Boyd  was  married  to  Rebecca  J. 
Brown  of  this  county.    Three  children  were  born  to  them,  namely: 


133 


James  K.  Boyd 
James  R.  Boyd,  who  is  now  Register  of  Deeds  and  Cashier  of  the 
Commercial   Hank  of  Waynesville,  Margarel   Frances  now  Mrs.  C. 
A.  Campbell,  and  Dr.  I).  A.  Boyd  who  died  a  few  years  ago. 

Se  was  again  married  on  the  12th  of  January.  1880.  to  Sarah 
Rickaon  Plott  sister  of  Robert  Plott.  The  children  of  the  second 
li — iff  NR!  8arah  Elizabeth,  new  Mrs.  F.  I).  Ferguson,  of  Waynes- 
ville. Lillie  Willis,  now  Mrs.  L.  E.  Perry,  of  Aaherille,  Gay  Pearson, 
now  Mrs.  ("has.  P.  Owen,  of  Dellwood,  and  Robert  Plott  Boyd,  now 
in  school  at  Tuaculum,  Tennessee. 

Mr.  Boyd  is  a  member  el  the  Methodist  Church  and  a  liberal 
supporter  of  that  denomination. 


134 

Thomas  Stringfield,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Stringfield  was  bom  in  Jefferson  City,  Tenn.,  March  18th, 
1872,  but  was  brought  to  Waynesville  by  his  parents  when  about 
three  months  old.  He  is  a  son  of  Colonel  W.  W.  Stringfield,  grand- 
son of  Rev.  Thomas  Stringfield,  and  great-grandson  of  Colonel 
Robert  Love  on  his  mother's  side  of  the  family.  He  pursued 
courses  of  study  at  Trinity  College,  Durham,  N.  C,  University  of 
North  Carolina,  and  Vanderbilt  University  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
graduating  from  the  medical  department  of  the  latter  institution 
in  the  class  of  1898. 

Before  he  had  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  the 
war  with  Spain  broke  out.  He  at  once  volunteered  and  was 
chosen  first  lieutenant  of  company  C,  fourth  regiment  North  Caro- 
lina troops,  and  went  with  his  company  to  Raleigh,  where  the 
command  was  mustered  in  as  company  H  first  North  Carolina  vol- 
unteer infantry.  In  the  summer  of  1898  the  regiment  was  sent  to 
Florida  and  held  in  camp  there  until  the  war  was  practically  over. 

In  the  fall  of  1898,  after  hostilities  had  ceased  the  regiment, 
along  with  others,  was  sent  to  Havanna  and  was  the  first  regiment 
to  bear  the  United  States  flag  through  the  streets  of  that  city,  com- 
pany H  bearing  the  colors.  Lieutenant  Stringfield  remained  with 
his  company  until  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  April,  1899, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Waynesville. 

Since  1899  Dr.  Stringfield  has  been  in  actice  practice  of  medi- 
cine, and  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  interests  of  the 
county  and  town.  In  1900  he  was  elected  mayor  of  "Waynesville 
and  re-elected  in  1901  and  1903.  In  1906  he  was  president  of  the 
Haywood  County  Medical  Society. 

In  military  matters  Dr.  Stringfield  has  been  prominent.  He  was 
appointed  by  Governor  Aycock  to  the  position  of  assistant  inspec- 
tor-general with  the  rank  of  major.  By  Governor  Glenn  he  was 
appointed  assistant  inspector-general  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant 
colonel  and  promoted  in  January,  1907,  to  the  position  of  inspector- 
general  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

He  was  married,  Dec.  26th,  1905,  to  Mamie  E.  Moore,  of  Bir- 
mingham, .  Ala.  They  have  one  child,  Sydenham  M.,  born  Oct. 
25th,  1906: 

Dr.  Stringfield  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  Odd  Fellows, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  Royal  Arcanum  and  Woodmen  of  the  World. 
Prof essionalty  he  holds  membership  in  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation, North  Carolina  Medical  Society,  and  Haywood  County 
Medical  Society. 


L35 


Dr.  Thomas  Stringfield 

Marion  DeKalb  Kinslatid. 
.Marion  DeKalb  Kinslaml  was  born,  April  30,  L855,  oil  Garden 
Greek   in   Haywood  County.     His  father  is  JoaHua    Kinaland,  who 

was  born  July  4th.   L82Y,  being  QOW  in   his  n-hty-^'i-niM  yen-       1 1  is 

greal  grand  father  Kinsland  came  from  Germany  i<»  this  country 
and  located  Dear  Charleston,  S.  < '.  His  grand  father  came  from 
South  Carolina  t<»  this  county  ami  settled  bear  wb,ere  <';inti)ii  dow 
st.imls.     His  ancestors  <m  his  mother's  Bide  settled  at  rlagferstown, 

Mil.,  and  {malty  came  South   -  it*,  the  n otain's  of  NbYth  Carolina 

His  mother  was  Mary  Rhudarmer  Kinslaml.     •' 


i36 

Being  a  small  boy  during  the  war  between  the  States  he  had 
only  a  vague  conception  of  the  struggle  then  going  on.  He  has, 
hoAvever.  a  vivid  recollection  of  it  and  of  helping  to  make  bread 
while  his  father  was  away  in  the  army.  He  remembers  also  the  in- 
tense anxiety  he  felt  during  that  time  for  the  safety  of  his  father 
and  how  he  watched  his  mother  every  time  she  received  a  letter  or 
read  the  newspapers. 

After  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Kinsland  when  a  boy  of  twelve 
or  fourteen  went  to  school  at  Locust  Field  near  Pigeon  Kiver. 
Later,  he  went  to  school  at  Bethel  Academy  near  Sonoma  in 
1874.  1875.  and  1876.  getting  a  good  education  which  has  stood  him 
in  good  stead  in  bis  business  of  life. 

Leaving  school  Mr.  Kinsland  taught  for  two  years  in  the 
public  schools.  Turning  his  attention  then  to  farming  he  entered 
that  field  of  labor  and  has  continued  in  that  capacity  ever  since. 
He  has  been  very  successful  both  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  It 
can  truthfully  be  said  of  him  that  be  has  made  two  blades  of  grass 
grow  where  only  one  grew  before. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Kinsland  was  justice  of  the  peace 
in  his  township  and  for  two  years  was  chairman  of  the  county 
board  of  education.  In  1902  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of 
the  State  Legislature  and  served  one  term.  As  a  member  of  the 
General  Assembly  he  was  successful  in  getting  through  that  body 
some  laws  that  have  been  very  beneficial  to  the  county.  Against 
many  protests  he  introduced  the  first  bil  that  provided  for  paved 
streets  in  Waynesville  and  the  macadam  roads  leading  out  from 
Waynesville  in  every  direction.  Since  1903  he  has  held  the  position 
of  engrossing  clerk  of  the  State  Legislature  to  which  he  was  elected 
in  1905. 

April  27th.  1876,  he  married  Mary  Hargrove,  sifter  of  Captain 
Hargrove  of  Canton.  They  have  six  children,  namely :  Flora  who 
married  J.  H.  Plott,  William  C,  Daisy  E.,  James  H.,  Joshua  Jr., 
aftd  Winnie  May. 

Mr.  Kinsland  is  a  prominent  Mason,  having  takea  the  Royal 
Arch  degree.  He  is  also  a  member  o£  the  S/ns  of  Temperance  and- 
Friends  of  Temperance.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
South. 


1 II 


Marion  Ik-Kail)  Kinsland 


Robert  Henry  Plott. 

Among  the  prominenl  and  influential  men  <>t'  Ivy  Hill  township 
Robert  Henry  Plotl  holds  an  important  place.  He  was  born  in 
about  two  miles  of  bis  present  home,  which  is  the  exacl  place  where 
Jonathan  McPeters,  the  6rs1  settler  on  Jonathan's  Creek,  lived  in 
the  early  days  of  the  county.  His  Father,  David  Plott  and  his 
mother,  Sallie  Turner  Plott,  were  both  Datives  of  this  county  and 
lived  in  the  same  locality. 

As  a  hoy  Mr.  Plott  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and  learned 
those  details  of  farm  life  thai  have  helped  him  to  win  success.    His 


138 

education,  while  meagre,  was  of  the  kind  that  gave  him  an  inspira- 
tion in  his  chosen  work.  He  went  a  few  sessions  to  the  schools  of 
his  neighborhood  and  about  the  time  he  would  have  completed  his 
education  the  agitation  preceding  the  Civil  war  came  on  and 
he  lost  the  opportunity. 

At  the  beginning  of  hostilities  Mr.  Plott  would  have  volun- 
teered, but  there  were  so  many  going  out  from  the  county  he  waited 
until  a  more  favorable  opportunity.  That  came  in  1862  and  he  en- 
listed in  company  A,  under  Captain  A.  T.  Rogers,  in  the  sixty- 
second  North  Carolina  regiment  in  command  of  Colonel  R.  G.  A. 
Love.  The  company  and  regiment  did  service  in  East  Tennessee  for 
a  year;  but  were  captured  at  Cumberland  Gap  in  September,  1863, 
and  held  in  prison  at  Camp  Douglas  until  June  20th,  1865.  While 
in  prison  the  men  of  the  sixty-second  were  offered  liberty  if  they 
would  swear  allegiance  to  the  United  States  government.  A  few 
of  the  men  yielded  to  the  temptation,  but  as  a  whole  they  were 
true  to  the  Southern  Confederacy  and  refused  to  yield.  Mr.  Plott 
was  one  who  refused  even  after  the  war  had  closed  and  was  only 
induced  to  do  so  after  he  saw  that  the  hope  of  the  Confederate  gov- 
ernment had  vanished  and  all  resistance  had  ceased. 

Coming  back  from  the  war  and  from  prison  Mr.  Plott  began  his 
career  as  a  farmer.  By  industry  and  skill  he  has  built  up  a  large 
estate  and  is  now  considered  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  pros- 
perous citizens  of  the  county.  He  has  never  held  any  political  po- 
sitions, his  inclinations  never  running  in  that  direction.  In  1885, 
however,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  the  Ivy  Hill  postoffice, 
now  called  Plott,  which  position  he  has  held  to  the  present,  being 
perhaps  the  only  man  in  the  county  to  hold  an  appointive  office 
under  administrations  of  different  poltical  parties. 

January  7th,  1873,  Mr.  Plott  was  married  to  Martha  Moody, 
•also  of  this  county.  Their  children  are :  Lelia  V.,  now  Mrs.  R.  E. 
Osborne  of  Waynesville ;  Minnie  Ray,  now  living  in  Kennedy,  Ala.; 
David  0.,  living  in  Ivy  Hill  township ;  James  R.,  in  Hamilton,  Wash- 
ington; Lucile,  now  Mrs.  Walter  Brice  of  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Grover  C, 
with  the  Waynesville  Hardware.  Co. ;  Homer,  Roy,  Grace,  and 
Herbert,  with  their  parents.     One  child  the  youngest,  died. 

Mr.  Plott  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  a  Mason.  He 
was  the  third  man  to  make  application  for  membership  in  the  Way- 
nesville lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  second  to  be  initiated  after  the 
lodge  was  organized. 


l.i'J 


Rohcit  11.  nn  Plott 


Joseph  M.  L.  McCracken. 
Joseph  us  Marcus  La  Payette  McCracken  was  born  Feb.  7,  1841, 
within  one-fourth  of  a  mile  where  he  now  resides  on  Crabtree  Creek. 
His  father  was  John  M<-<  Iracken,  Bon  of  Joseph  BicCracken  who  came 
to  this  section  in  the  early  Bettle  enl  of  the  county  and  who  be- 
longed to  the  army  that  was  sent  into  this  part  of  the  country 
to  put  down   Indian   troubles.  came  here   from  Georgia   a  id 

bought  most  of  the  land  on  Crabti  e  Creek  and  for  years  held  it  all 
except  a  few  little  farms  that   w owned  by  other  parties.     The 


140 

mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  Leannah  Rogers  McCracken, 
of  Cleveland  County. 

While  a  boy  Mr.  McCracken  went  to  school  a  few  months,  the 
educational  conveniences  at  that  time  being  very  meagre.  In  all 
he  went  only  about  six  or  eight  months  before  the  beginning  of 
the  Civil  war.  But  the  training  he  received  under  the  adverse  cir- 
cumstances has  been  of  incalculable  advantage  to  him.  He  was 
a  farmer's  son  and  that  ,too^  gave  him  the  training  which  has  been 
of  practical  value. 

In  1861  he  enlisted  in  compnany  C,  Sam  C.  Bryson's  company 
and  mustered  into  the  twenty-fifth  North  Carolina  regiment.  It 
was  the  second  company  to  go  out  from  Haywood  County.  For  two 
years  Mr.  McCracken  served  as  private  in  that  famous  regiment 
and  met  with  many  of  the  hardships  of  the  soldier's  life.  He  was  in 
some  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  Avar.  Later,  he  was  detailed 
as  a  courier  for  General  Mat  Ransom  and  served  in  that  position  for 
some  time.  Still  later,  he  was  transferred  to  company  G,  eighth 
North  Carolina  regiment  and  served  as  orderly  under  General  T. 
L.  Clingman  and  so  continued  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

Returning  home,  after  the  war,  Mr.  McCracken  began  his  career 
as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  has  steadfastly  continued  in  that 
business  and  has  won  signal  success.  A  few  years  ago  he  introduced 
wool  growing  and  has  found  it  profitable. 

In  1868  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  com- 
missioners and  served  four  years.  A  few  years  thereafter  he  was 
again  a  member  of  the  board  when  the  bitter  fight  about  the  removal 
of  the  court  house  came  up.  Some  wanted  the  court  house  moved  to 
Iron  Duff  or  Clyde  in  order  to  get  it  in  centre  of  the  county.  The 
fight  was  waged  bitterly  but  Waynesville  finally  won  out  and  the 
new  court  house  was  built  there.  Mr.  McCracken,  being  on  the 
board  then,  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  He  was  on  the  conir 
mittee  to  build  the  court  house  and  deserves  largely  the  credit  for 
the  nice  building  that  was  put  up. 

About  twenty  years  ago  he  took  the  initiative  in  having  a  no 
fence  law  established  in  Haywood  County.  The  law  was  first  put 
into  operation  in  a  part  of  Crabtree,  Iron  Duff,  and  Clyde  town- 
ships. He  and  M.  A.  Kirkpatrick,  of  the  same  township,  were  the 
leaders  in  this  important  measure,  which  was  much  opposed  then 
but  which  no  one  will  oppose  now.  It  has  been  a  great  blessing 
to  the  county  as  it  has  brought  about  great  improvement  in  land 
and  in  stock. 

Mr.  McCracken  was  the  originator  of  the  Haywood  County 
fair,  in  that  he  wrote  an  article  to  the  Waynesville  Courier  in  1904 


141 


Joseph  MI.    McCrackt  n 
suggesting  the  fair,  which  suggestion  was  Favorably  acted  upon  and 
the  fair  association  organized.     I!'-  may  justly  be  Btyled,  therefore, 
the  "  Father  of  the  Fair." 

With  Lee  McCracken  he  commenced  the  agitation  for  Bpecial 
t;ix  for  Bchoola  in  Crabtree.  In  1905  Rock  Springs  vol  •<!  the  Bpecial 
tax  and  thai  distrid  now  1ms  a  good  graded  Bchool. 

May  7th,  1868,  he  married  Sophia  Malissa  Penland.  Ten  chil- 
dren have  been  born  from  this  union:  Sallie  Leannah,  Mary  Jane, 
Maggie,  Robert  Pinckney,  John  Rufua,  Marcus  Theodore,  Anna, 
Mattie  May.  Albert  Johnston,  and  Franklin  Fates.  Mr.  McCracken 
was  married  second  time  June  27th,  1908.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  <  Ihurch. 


142 

Bavid  Russell  Noland. 

No  family  in  Fines  Creek  township  has  been  more  active  in 
building  up  that  section  of  the  county  than  the  Nolands.  The  fam- 
ily originally  came  from  Belgium  and  brought  with  it  to  this 
country  some  of  the  spirit  of  the  ancient  Belgians  who  resisted 
Caesar  so  stubbornly  when  he  conquered  their  country  about  55 
B.  C.  One  branch  of  the  family  came  to  the  mountains  of  western 
North  Carolina  and  settled  on  Crystal  Creek,  now  known  as  Fines 
Creek. 

David  Russell  Noland  was  born  Feb  11,  1866,  in  Fines  Creek 
township.  His  father  is  James  Hardy  Noland,  still  living  an  active 
old  man,  and  his  mother  Sara  E.  Noland.  As  a  boy  he  was  sent 
to  the  public  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  later  to  the  academy 
in  Waynesville  while  his  brother,  Thomas  W.,  was  principal  in 
1885.  Later  in  1888-1890  he  attended  school  at  Weaverville  College 
in  Buncombe  County,  where  he  was  more  thoroughly  equipped  for 
the  active  duties  of  life. 

Returning  from  college  Mr.  Noland  taught  school  for  a  year, 
and  then  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  which  he  has 
been  very  successful.  He  has  succeeded  in  accumulating  consider- 
able property  and  is  considered  to-day  one  of  the  most  successful 
and  prosperous  farmers  in  Fines  Creek  township. 

In  1902  Mr.  Noland  was  elected  sheriff  of  Haywood  County  and 
moved  to  Waynesville  to  live.  He  served  so  acceptably  that  he  was 
re-elected  in  1904  and  served  until  1906,  when  he  declined  to  be  a 
candidate  longer.  Before  being  elected  sheriff  he  was  for  a  number 
of  years  tax  collector.  This  year  (1908)  he  was  chosen  chairman  of 
the  Haywood  County  Democratic  executive  committee.  He  now 
lives  in  Waynesville. 

March  11,  1892  he  married  Etta  A.  Reeves.  They  have  one 
child,  David  Reeves  Noland,  who  is  in  school  at  the  academy  in 
Waynesville. 

Sheriff  Noland  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  a 
Knight  of  Pythias. 

Rev.  Thomas  W.  Noland,  a  brother  of  the  sheriff,  born  August 
17,  1860,  is  now  pastor  of  Hobson  Church,  Nashville,  Tennessee. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  at  the  academy  in  Waynes- 
ville, and  at  the  Normal  College  in  Nashville,  Tennessee.  For  two 
years,  1884  to  1886,  he  was  principal  of  the  Waynesville  Academy. 
Later,  he  graduated  from  the  Theological  Department  of  Yander- 
bilt  University  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1888  joined  the  Tennessee 
conference,  being  ordained  as  elder  in  Nashville  by  Bishop  Chas.  B. 


I1J 


I ).ivi<l  Ru^ell  Nolaud 


Galloway  on  Oct.  23,  L892.  II.'  \\ ;i^  married  Augusl  12th,  1885  to 
Emma  Webb  of  Kinston.  I!''  is  n<>w  an  active  Methodist  divine  and 
\\-  i  n  r  i  i  1 1  lt  success  in  the  Volunteer  State. 


144 

Herbert  R.  Ferguson. 

Herbert  Reeves  Ferguson,  mayor  of  Waynesville,  was  born 
in  Waynesville  township  December  14th,  1870.  He  is  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam B.  Ferguson,  also  a  native  of  Haywood  County  and  whose  bio- 
graphy appears  elsewhere  in  this  publication. 

After   being    p  for   college    in    the    public    and    private 

schools  of  Waynesville.  Mr.  Ferguson  entered  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
B.  S.  in  1893.  After  completing  his  academic  course  he  studied 
law  in  the  legal  department  of  the  University  and  stood  the  exami- 
nation before  the  Supreme  Court  in  1804,  securing  his  License  to 
practice  in  the  same  year.  Since  then  he  has  been  in  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession  in  partnership  with  his  father  under  the 
firm  name  of  W.  B.  and  H.  R.  Ferguson. 

In  180b'  he  was  elected  mayor  of  Waynesville  and  was  re- 
elected each  year  until  101)0.  He  was  again  elected  to  the  same 
position  in  1005  and  was  re-elected  in  1007.  For  five  years  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Democratic  executive  committee  of  Haywood 
County  and  did  valuable  service  to  his  party  during  that  time.  In 
1903  he  was  chosen  county  attorney  and  has  been  holding  that 
position   since. 

In  1800  Mr.  Ferguson,  as  mayor,  was  identified  with  the  organi- 
zation and  equipment  of  the  Waynesville  Graded  Schools.  He  aided 
in  getting  that  important  institution  on  its  feet  and  in  good  running 
order.  In  August,  this  year,  he  was  nominated  for  the  lower  house 
of  the  State  Legislature  and  will  doubtless  be  elected  in  November. 


William  R.  Medford. 

William  Riley  Medford.  sheriff  of  Haywood  County,  comes  from 
one  of  the  oldest  families  of  this  section.  His  father,  Lorenzo  Dow 
Medford.  and  his  grandfather.  Riley  Medford,  were  both  born  in 
this  county  and  were  prominent  farmers.  His  mother  was  Martha 
Fullbright,  a  native  of  Haywood,  and  daughter  of  Aaron  Fullbright. 
Sheriff  Medford  was  born  December  24th,  1858,  was  educated  in 
the  county  schools  and  has  been  engaged  in  farming  in  Crabtree 
township  ever  since  with  the  exception  of  such  time  as  his  official 
duties  demanded.  He  served  five  years  as  deputy,  under  sheriffs 
Haynes  and  Henson,  and  was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county  in  1906. 
At  the  primaries  on  August  0th.  1008.  he  received  the  unanimous 
nomination  for  a  second  term  and  will  undoubtedly  be  elected. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Laura  Justus. 
of  Haywood  County  whom  he  married  in  1880.     She  died  in  May. 


145 


W.  R.  Medford. 


1895,  leaving  thi boys:  Ralph,  Boy  and  Carl.     Hi.  ■ id  wife 

Nora  <;. tt,isa  oa  incombe  C  re  ch.ldrei. 

by  thiH  marriage  are:  Juanita,  Gnssie,  Garrett,  Frank  and  Num. 
Sheriff  Medford  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  Independent 
,„,,,.,  ,,,-  odd  Fellows,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 


146 

William  Stewart  Terrell. 
Gaptain  William  S.  Terrell,  of  Sonoma,  was  born  in  Rutherford 

County,  Oct.  21,  1836.  He  comes  of  Revolutionary  stock.  His  great 
grand  father  Richard  Terrell  was  one  of  three  brothers,  who  emi- 
grated from  Wales  to  England,  afterwards  to  the  United  States. 
sonic  time  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  and  settled  in 
Virginia.  Later  he  came  to  Rutherford  County.  Joel  L.  Terrell, 
the  grand  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolution  and  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court- 
house  when  he   was   only   sixteen  years   old. 

On  his  mother's  side  Captain  Terrell  is  also  of  Revolutionary 
stock.  Her  name  was  Ermina  Kilpatrick,  of  Rutherford,  whose 
grand  father  was  also  in  the  Revolution.  It  is  seen,  therefore,  that 
the   Terrells  have  no   inferior  ancestry   to   which   to   point. 

When  about  eleven  years  old  his  father,  James  Orville  Terrell, 
moved  from  Rutherford  to  the  Pigeon  Valley.  As  a  boy  he  attended 
the  public  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  later,  when  a  young 
man.  went  to  school  to  Prof.  R.  II.  Dabney.  who  was  then  teaching 
in  Waynesville. 

In  1861  he  was  going  to  school  when  he  Civil  Avar  broke  out. 
He  promptly  enlisted  in  company  A  of  Thomas's  Legion  and  served 
three  years.  At  first  a  private  he  soon  attained  the  rank  of  first 
lieutenant,  which  rank  he  held  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Lieutenant 
Terrell  was  a  good  soldier,  serving  with  distinction  in  all  the  various 
and  varied  operations  of  thai  fa  nous  b  >dy  of  men.  So  signal  were 
his  services  that,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  captain,   coming  out   with   that  distinction   in   1865. 

Coming  out  of  the  war  Captain  Terrell  oegan  to  build  up  his 
wasted  fortune.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and  at  one  time  clerked 
in  a  store  in  Waynesvilh  .  Since  1  65,  however,  he  has  reside  1  at 
Sonoma  farm  in  the  Pigeon  Valley,  farming,  merchandising,  and 
stock-raising.  He  lias  been  very  successful,  having  given  all  of 
his  children  a  good  education  and  settled  them  comfortably  in  life. 

Augusl  3rd,  1865  Captain  Terrell  was  married  to  Mary  Lucinda 
Kirkpatrick  of  Crabtree  township.  They  have  nine  children  Living, 
Theodore   Vance.   James    .Milns.    Hattie    Inez.    Anna    -lane.    Ermina 


i  n 


William  Stewart  Terrell 


Latitia,  Charles  Stewart,  William  Thomas,  Benona  Wellington,  Mary 
Lncinda.  <>m-  son,  Turner  Kirkpatrick  is  dead.  One  Bon,  Rev. 
James  Milus,  is  a  Presbyterian  minister  on  the  foreign  field,  being 
stai  ioned  in  Brazil. 

Captain  Terrell  is  ;i   Mason  and  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 

Church.     He  is  known  ;ill  over  tl ounty  by  his  noro  de  plnme 

"Johnnie  1 1 • » i  »< •  t"u I . 


148 

R.  A.  Sentelle. 

Richard  Alvah  Sentelle  stands  prominent  and  conspicuous 
among  the  teachers  of  Haywood  County.  He  was  born  in  Henderson 
County,  December  23,  1846.  As  a  boy  he  had  poor  educational  ad- 
vantages, attending  school  only  a  few  months  in  a  year  for  two 
or  three  years  before  the  civil  war  came  on.  During  the  four  years 
of  strife  .the  schools  of  the  county  were  closed. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Sentelle  came  to  Haywood  County,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1866  worked  on  the  farm  of  W-  W.  Lenoir  in  East 
Fork  township.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  school  again 
under  the  tutelage  of  Dr.  J.  M.  Mease,  and,  in  the  winter  of  1867, 
under  Rev.  D.  B.  Nelson.  In  that  winter's  work  the  foundation  of 
his  aims  and  ambitions  was  laid. 

In  the  fall  of  1867  he  taught  his  first  school  on  the  west  fork 
of  Pigeon,  and  every  year,  since,  except  one,  he  has  been  connected 
with  school  work.  In  1871  he  taught  a  public  school  for  the  first 
time  at  Thickety  school-house.  Captain  W-  J.  Wilson,  under  whom 
he  had  studied  and  recited,  was  county  examiner  at  the  time  and 
granted  the  first  teacher's  certificate  to  .young  Sentelle. 

Deciding  in  187.1  that  his  education  was  not  sufficient  for  a 
teacher  he  entered  school  again  at  Waynesville  under  Dan  M.  Jones, 
who  was  considered  one  of  the  best  teachers  in  Haywood  County. 
After  spending  two  years  in  teaching  and  studying,  as  he  was  doing 
at  the  time,  he  stopped  teaching  and  spent  one  year  in  regular  study. 
Since  then  he  has  spent  much  time  in  attending  summer  normals 
and  in  otherwise  equipping  himself  as  a  school  man. 

At  different  times  he  was  principal  of  the  school  at  Bethel, 
Waynesville.  Clyde,  Rock  Spring,  and  at  Belle  Vue  in  Cherokee 
County.  Besides,  he  lias  taught  many  free  schools  at  different  points 
in  the  county. 

In  1881  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  and  held  the 
position  twelve  years.  After  being  out  of  office  for  eight  years  he 
was  again  elected  in  1901  and  still  holds  the  position.  He  can  count 
among  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county  many  who  have  been  stu- 
dents in  his  schools. 

Besides  being  a  teacher  of  wide  influence  in  the  county  he  is 
also  a  Baptist  preacher,  and  has  done  a  great  deal  of  preaching  and 
pastoral  work-  In  his  denomination  he  is  prominent.  For  ten  years 
he  was  secretary  of  the  Western  North  Carolina'  Baptist  Conven- 
tion, and  several  years  was  moderator  of  the  Haywood  County 
Baptist  Association. 

11C  points  with  pride  to  the  building  up  of  several  churches  and 


1  l't 


k.  A.  Sentelle 


many  Bchool  houses  as  monuments  <»!'  his  work-  The  only  fortune  he 
claims  is  that  invested  in  the  lives  and  cliara.-t.Ts  of  a  hosl  of  men 
and  women  in  Haywood  County  and  in  other  counties  and  States. 
In  1867  he  was  married  t<-  Addie  Blaylock.  Their  children  are: 
Lizzie,  who  married  Zimri  Rogers,  <>!'  Detroit,  Mich.;  Lavonia,  who 
married  W.  K.  Shepherd  now  of  Mooresville;  Nannie,  who  married 
C.  II.  Chamblee  of  Wakefield;  I. -la.  who  married  John  McElroy; 
John  B.,  Horace  N..  Boone,  limns  qow  sperintendenl  of  Graded 
Schools  a1   Lumberton  .  and  Jennie  May. 


150 


William  T.  Crawford. 


William  Thomas  Crawford  was  born  June  1st.  1856  in  Crab- 
tree  township.  He  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  and  early  became 
inured  to  hard  work.  When  he  was  in  his  teens  he  went  to  the 
common  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  laid  the  foundation  of  an 
education  he  has  constantly  built  upon  since- 

For  two  years  he  was  in  school  in  Buncombe  County,  teaching 
during  vacation  to  get  the  means  to  go  upon.  Later,  he  was  in 
school  at  the  Waynesville  Academy,  where  he  went  for  two  years 
also.  As  a  teacher  in  the  county  schools  during  those  times  he 
made  a  reputation  as  a  disciplinarian  and  an  instructor.  His  example 
thus  set  in  acquiring  an  education  under  difficulties  has  been  an 
inspiration  to  many  Haywood  County  youths. 

In  1882.  when  twenty-six  years  old.  Mr.  Crawford  was  seized 
with  the  desire  to  go  to  the  west  and  grow  up  with  the  country. 
Accordingly  he  went  to  Colorado  and  "roughed"  it  for  some  months 
among  the  Rocky  mountains.  Finding  that  life,  however,  unsuited 
to  his  genius  he  returned  to  Haywood  County  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  and  took  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Howell  and  Rogers 
in  Waynesville  and  held  it  until  1886. 

While  employed  in  that  capacity  he  was  nominated  by  the 
Democrats  of  Haywood  County  for  a  seat  in  the  lower  house  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  elected  after  a  brilliant  canvass  of  the  county 
He  served  with  d's-'nguished  ability  that  term  and  was  returned  in 
1886.  In  1888  he  was  elector,  on  the  Cleveland  ticket,  for  this 
district  and  made  an  effective  campaign,  gaining  friends  throughout 
Western  North  Carolina.  His  canvass  that  year  brought  him  in 
viose  touch  with  the  people  of  the  district  and  he  rapidly  became 
tl v  favorite  with  the  masses. 

At  the  Congressional  Convention  in  Asheville  in  1890  Mr-  Craw- 
ford was  a  candidate  for  the  nomination.  There  were  other  strong 
men  before  the  convention,  but  Crawford  Avon  and  was  declared  ths 
nominee.  At  the  election  in  November  he  received  a  substantial 
majority.  Again  in  1892  he  was  elected  by  a  large  majority  over 
Jeter  C.  Pritchard,  the  Republican  candidate.  In  1894  he  was  the 
candidate  of  his  party  for  the  third  time,  but  owing  to  peculiar 
po]  heal  conditions  that  year  he  was  defeated  by  Richmond  Pearson, 
the  fusion  candidate  of  the  Republicans  and  Populists. 

After  his  term  of  office  had  expired. in  1895  Mr.  Crawford  settled 
down  to  the  practice  of  law.  his  license  having  been  obtained  in  1891 
after  his  first  election  to  Congress  and  after  he  had  taken  a  course 


W    T    Craw 


in  the  law  department  of  the  State  University.  Ii<'  buill  up  a  good 
practice  during  the  nexl  two  years. 

In    1898  he   was  again   nominated    foi  -   and   declared 

elected;  but  toward  the  close  of  his  term  he  was  unseated  by 
congress  in  favor  of  Richmond  Pearson.  In  1900  both  tandidatti 
for  «  ohgresa  from  this  distrid  were  from  Waynesville.  Mr-  Craw- 
ford and  his  Republican  opponent,  Mr.  Moody,  made  a  joinl  canvaaa 
of  the  district.     At   the  polls  Mr.  Moodj    was  elected. 

Again  in  1904  Mr.  Crawford  was  presidential  elector  and  can- 


152 

vassed  the  district  with  Mr.  Benbow,  the  Republican  candidate  for 
elector.  In  1906  he  was  nominated  for  congress  and  elected  and 
again  this  year  he  is  the  candidate  of  his  party. 

November  30,  1892,  Mr.  Crawford  was  married  to  Inez  E-  Coman, 
also  of  this  county.  They  have  five  chilrden :  Hilary,  Harry,  Mildred, 
Walter,  and  Wilda. 


Joseph  A.  Collins. 

Joseph  Alexander  Collins  was  born  in  what  is  now  Swain 
County,  but  then  Haywood,  May  22,  1813.  He  is  a  son  of  Robert 
Collins  and  Betsy  Beck  Collins,  both  raised  in  this  county  at  the 
time  it  included  the  counties  west  of  Haywood.  His  education  was 
obtained  in  the  common  schools  that  were  taught  during  the  few 
years  immediately  preceding  the  Civil  war. 

Mr.  Collins  remained  on  the  farm  until  June,  1861,  when  he 
enlisted  in  company  B,  twenty-fifth  North  Carolina  regiment.  He 
was  in  the  desperate  battle  of  Seven  Pines  and  in  the  Seven  days 
around  Richmond,  receiving  a  severe  wound  at  Malvern  Hill,  on 
account  of  which  wound  he  was  sent  home  for  disability.  After  re- 
covering he  rejoined  his  command,  but  was  soon  afterwards  trans- 
ferred to  Thomas's  Legion,  the  sixty-ninth,  with  the  rank  of  second 
lieutenant,  and  served  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  hostil- 
ities, being  in  command  of  company  A  about  twelve  months. 

Returning  home  from  the  war  he  became  a  traveling  salesman 
for  a  Knoxville  wholesale  house  and  followed  that  vocation  for  ten 
years.  He  then  retired  from  that  business  and  purchased  his 
present  farm  about  one  mile  from  Clyde.  For  twenty  or  more  years 
he  has  been  closely  identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  Haywood 
County  and  is  one  of  the  many  substantial  farmers  of  the  day. 

For  one  term  Mr.  Collins  served  the  county  in  the  lower  house 
of  the  General  Assembly  (1901). 

He  was  married  Nov.  9,  1875.  to  Hattie  V.  McKee,  of  Jackson 
County,  who  still  survives.  They  have  eight  children  as  follows: 
Nellie,  now  Mrs.  J.  R.  Smathers,  of  Clyde  township;  Robert;  Mattie, 
now  Mrs.  0.  L.  Smathers;  Fay.  now  Mrs.  J.  V.  Ilolcomb;  Herbert  II., 
Edward  ('..  Ray  L..  and  Benjamin  II. 


153 


h  A  Collins 


Hugh  A.  Love. 
Hugh  Arthur  Love,  treasurer  of  Haywood  County,  is  l.\  direct 
•  a  great  grandson  of  Colonel  Boberl   Love.     He  is  a  son  of 

Captain  Matthew  II.   Love,  who  led  ;i   Hayw I  County  company 

during  the  Civil  war.    II''  was  born  in  WaynesviUe  Oct.  4,  1^7:;.  ami 
•  ,1  liis  education  at  the  Waynesville  Academy  and  the  Sweet- 
water Military  College  ;>'   Sweetwater,  Tenn. 

In  1898,  when  war  with  Spain  was  declared,  Mr.  Love  volun- 
teered ami  was  chosen  Becond  Lieutenanl  of  company  C,  that  was 


154 


Hugh  A.  Love 


afterwards  mustered  in  as  company  H  of  the  first  North  Carolina 
regiment.  He  was  with  the  company  in  camp  at  Raleigh  and  at 
Jacksonville,  went  with  it  to  Cuba,  and  assisted  in  carrying  the  first 
United  States  flag  through  the  streets  of  Savannah.  He  remained 
with  the  company  until  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  April, 
1899  at  Savannah. 

Returning  to  Waynesville  at  the  close  of  hostilities  Mr.  Love 
became  identified  with  the  interests  of  Waynesville.  He  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  in  1902  and  re-elected  in  1903. 
Becoming  a  candidate  for  couny  treasurer  in  1904,  he  was  elected 


to  that  office  and  re-elecl  d  in  1906.     At  the  primaries  Lasl   August 

he  ri iv. -.1  the  unanimous renomination  for  a  third  term. 

Mr.  Love  was  married  in  1903  to  Hedwig  Altstaetter  of  Gallon, 
Ohio.    Their  children  are  Frederick  and  !Ienri<  Lm. 


Rufus  L.  Allen,  M.  D. 

Rufus  Leonidas  Allen  was  born  on  the  old  Edmonston  estate  in 
Haywood  County,  Jul)  12th,  1864.  His  father,  George  David  Simp* 
son  Allen  was  a  prominenl  physician  who  settled  at   Pigeon  River 

M"\\    Canton     in    1858,  c ing  from    Iredell   County.     Hia  grand 

father,  Reeves  Allen  was  a  native  of  Wake  County,  and  his  great- 
grandfather, George  Allen,  born  in  1743,  served  under  G 
Nathaniel  Green  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  mother  was 
Nancy  Adeline  Edmonston,  daughter  of  Ninian  Edmonston  a  noted 
surveyor  who  with  Col.  Ephraim  McDowell  established  the  boundary 
lines  between  Buncombe  and  Haywood  Counties,  and  also  the  divid- 
ing line  between  Haywood  and  Jackson  Counties. 

Dr.  Allen  was  educated  al  VVaynesville  Academy,  Vanderbilt 
University  of  Tennessee,  and  University  of  .Maryland  from  which 
he  was  graduated  as  .M.  D.  in  the  class  of  1885,  since  which  time 
he  has  I n  in  a. -live  practice  al  Waynesville.  Dr.  AUen  if  presi- 
dent of  the  Haywood  County  Medical  Society,  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  North  Carolina  Medical  Society,  and  Tri- 
Statc  Medical  Society.  He  has  served  three  terms  as  Alderman  be- 
tween the  years  1895  and  1901,  and  as  county  coroner  l^sG-1890 
and  1904-1906. 

At  preseni  he  is  city  physician  and  chairman  of  the  sanitary 
board,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Haywood  County  Sanitary  Board. 
He  was  married  April  26th,  1893  to  Marion  Wilton  of  Washington, 
1).  • !.,  daughter  of  Charles  Wilton  of  thai  city. 


156 


Rut'us  L.  Allen,  M.  D. 


J.  L.  Morgan. 

Jasper  La  Fayette  Morgan  was  born  near  Canton,  then  Pigeon 
River.  November  23rd,  1854.  His  father,  Elisha  Morgan,  was  a 
native  of  Buncombe  County,  but  came  to  Haywood  when  quite 
young,  and  for  several  years  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  the 
county.  During  the  war  between  the  States  he  joined  Capt.  Elisha 
Johnson's  company  of  Thomas'  Legion  and  was  in  active  service 
until  he  succumbed  to  sickness  and  died  in  a  Virginia  hospital  in 
1864.  The  mother  of  J.  L.  was  Nancy  E.  Smathers,  a  daughter  of 
George  F.,  Smathers,  both  natives  of  Haywood. 

Since  he  was  seventeen  years  old  Mr.  Morgan  has  been  engaged 


157 


T    L    Moreran 
,„  mercantile  ami  i.m.,.-  business,  a^d  tor  tte  past  ten  yiirs  has 
been  sole  proprietor  of  the  Clyde  Boiler  Mill.    He  has  always  been 
ail  earnest   workeT  in  the  cause  of  education   and  Berved  on   the 
eounty  board  of  educati sleven  years,  viz:  1885-92  and  19014)5. 

During  Ins  last  term  of  service  he  took  a  very  important  part 
i„  plaeing  our  educational  Bystem  on  a  better  financial  basis  than 
had  previously  existed. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  married  May  15th,  1881  to  Lorena  J.  Cald- 
well,  daughter  of  Lawson  and  Adeline  Caldwell,  all  Datives  of  Hay- 
wood County.  Their  children  are:  Joseph  Ray,  a  rising  yonng 
lawyer  of  Waynesville,  Ernesl   L.,  and  Hassie  M. 


158 


J.  F.  Abel,  M.  D. 

Joshua  Fanning  Abel  was  born  in  Haywood  County,  February 
6th.  1868.  The  family  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia 
and  settled  near  Pigeon  River  (now  Canton)  at  a  very  early 
date.  His  father.  James  R.  was  born  there  and  was  a  well  known 
Earmer.  His  mother  was  Clarissa  Kinsland,  daughter  of  Joshua 
Kinsland  (still  living  and  over  80  years  old),  both  natives  of  this 
county. 

Dr.  Abel  was  educated  at  the  Waynesville  Academy  and  Weav- 


159 


erville  College,  Btudied  medicine  al  Johns  Hopkins  University  and 
the  t 'niv.-i-xii \  of  Baltimore,  and  was  graduated  from  the  latter  in- 
stitution as  .M.  l>.  in  the  class  of  L892.  He  began  practice  at  Canton 
in  the  same  year  and  remained  there  until  1901  when  he  removed 
to  Waynesville  where  he  has  Bince  resided. 

Dr.  Abel  is  now  serving  Ins  tifth  term  as  < '< » n i it %-  Superintendent 
of  Health,  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Waynea- 
ville  Graded  School,  is  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  this 
district,  and  is  tin-  only  Scottish  K i t # •  member  wesl  of  Asheville. 
also  a  member  of  Woodmen  of  the  World.  In  Ins  professional 
rapacity  Dr.  Abel  is  a  member  of  the  Haywood  County  Medical 
Society  and  has  Berved  two  terms  as  its  president  and  is  also  member 
of  the  State  Medical  Association  of  North  Carolina. 

Id ■  was  married  in  1893  to  Mary  Vance,  a  daughter  of  David 
Vance  and  grand-daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Cathey.  She  died  in 
[904  leaving  five  children:  Hugh,  Evelyn,  Ruth,  Clarice  and  Mary. 


James  W.  Ferguson. 

Ja s  William   Ferguson   was  born   in   Waynesville,  Sept.  29, 

L873,  and  is  a  son  of  Judge  G.  S.  Ferguson,  who  is  now  on  the 
Superior  Courl  bench.  He  was  educated  at  the  private  Bchools  of 
Waynesville  and  at  the  State  University,  graduating  from  the  law 
departmenl  of  the  latter  school  in  tl lass  of  1893.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  l>ar  the  same  year  and  has  since  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  Waynesville. 

In  1894  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  Democratic  executive 
committee  of  Haywood  County  in  which  he  did  good  Bervice.  In 
1896  In-  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  state  Legislature  and 
Berved  in  the  session  of  1897.  In  1898  he  was  elected  Solieit.tr  for 
this   the   Sixteenth   judicial    distrid    and    held    the    position    until 

Since  his  retirement  from  the  Bolicitorship  Mr.  Ferguson  has 
practiced  Ins  profession  inWaynesville. 

In  1899  he  married  Hester  L.Cooper,  daughter  of  Captain  J. 
W.  Cooper  of  Murphy.  Their  three  children  are:  .lame-  \v.  Jr., 
Edwin  ( '..  and  Isabel. 

Mr.  Ferguson  is  a  Mystic  Shriner  in  the  Masonic  order  and  a 
I'.ivt   Chancellor  in  the   Knights  of  Pyth 


160 





James  W.  Ferguson 


William  D.  McCracken. 
William  David  McCracken  was  born  on  Crabtree  ('reck,  near  his 
present  home,  Jan.  26,  1861.  His  father,  Hiram  McCracken,  is  still 
living  a  hearty  old  man  of  eighty-seven.  The  McCrackens  are  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  Joseph  McCracken,  the  founder  of  the  Hay- 
wood County  branch,  owned  all  the  land  on  the  creek  except  that 
that  was  owned  by  the  Kirkpatricks.    His  entire  estate,  however,  in 


161 


!li;it  earlj  day,  was  ao1  valued  a1  over  $1,000.  Now  the  same  lands 
would  bring  $100,000. 

Schools  were  few  .-it  the  time  thai   Mr.  McCracken  could  I 

profited  most   by   them.     He  attended  the  public  bcI Is  three  or 

four  months  in  the  year  until  be  was  aboul  eighteen  years  old 
and  then  began  active  life. 

When  be  was  fifteen  years  old  Mr.  McCracken  made  his 
trading  in  cattle.     Since  then  be  has  been   following  that 
work  constantly  and  bas  attained  Buccess.    He  believes  that 
there  is  more  in  saving  than  in  making-     When  be  was  only  seven- 
teen years  old  be  drove  cattle  through  Tennessee  and  Virginia  at 

fifty   cents  a  day,  Baved   his  m y  and   invested   it    in   mountain 

lands.    He  is  now  worth  between  thirty  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

I,,  L900  Mr.  McCracken  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of 

comity   commissi srs   and    held   the    position   one   term.      During 

that  term  he  was  chairman  of  the  board.  Last  Augusl  be  was  again 
nominated  for  the  same  position  and  will,  no  doubt,  be  elected  in 
November. 

December  20th,  1882  he  married  Ellen  Margarel  Liner,  of  this 
enmity.  Their  children  are:  Gertrude,  Waldo,  Lucy,  Quay,  Tula, 
Verna,  and  Mary. 

Mr.  McCracken  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
progressive  farmers  and  stock-raisers  in  Haywood  County.  His 
large  droves  of  sheep  and  cattle  are  the  subjects  of  comment  by 
his  neighbors  and  fri< 

George  H.  Smathers. 
rge  Henry  Smathers  was  born  in  Buncombe  County  near  the 
Haywood  line  on  Jan.  29th,  1854.    His  father,  John  C,  and  bis  g 
father,  George  P.,  were  born  in  this  county;  also  his  mother,  Lucilla 
E.  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Harry  Johnson,  who  came  here  when  ten 

-  old. 

Th.-  Bubjecl  "t"  this  sketch  was  educated  al  the  pub] 
and  Sand  Hill  Academy.  He  studied  law  with  Dick  <.v  Dillard  of 
sboro,  X.  <'..  and  was  admitted  t..  tin-  bar  in  June,  1881.  He 
has  been  in  active  practice  at  Waynesville  since  that  year  and  has 
been  attorney  for  the  Champion  Fibre  Co.,  of  Canton,  since  the 
estahlism.'iit  of  their  greal  plain  in  April,  inn*;. 

During  President  Harrison's  administration  he  was  appointed 

•.mt  United  States  District  Attorney,  and  w:ts  engaged  i'"r 
several  years  on  the  claims  in  Litigation  of  the  Cherokee  Indians 
of  this  st.,t.-.    Hi>  services  were  of  such  value  that  he  was  qetained 


162 


George  H.  Smathers 


in  the  same  duties  by  the  succeeding  Cleveland  administration 
until  the  disputes  were  settled  by  act  of  Congress.  In  1896  Mr. 
Smathers  was  elected  State  Senator  from  the  forty-first  district 
and  serevd  one  term  during  which  he  was  prominent  as  chairman 
of  the  Judiciary  committee. 

He  was  married  Jan.  6th,  1892  to  Daisy  Rice,  of  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  F.  Rice,  a  former  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Alabama.  They  have  one  child :  Ellen  Rice 
Smathers  who  was  born  July  30th,  1893. 


163 

Milas  A.  Kirkpatrick. 
Milas  Alexander  Kirkpatrick  was  born  Maj  11.  1841,  on  the 
head  waters  of  Fines  Creek  His  father  was  Silas  F.  Kirkpatrick, 
who  w.is  .1  plain  blunl  man  of  Scotch  descent,  a  good  farmer,  born 
in  \vh;ii  u;is  then  Buncombe  Count}  bul  oo\*  Henderson,  and  lived 
tn  the  age  of  eighty-two.  I  lis  mother  was  Jane  Woods  Kirkpatrick 
who  was  born  in  rredell  County  and  was  of  Irish  extraction.  He 
grandfather  was  a  Boldier  in  the  Revolution,  bul  Bettled  on  Pines 
boob  after  tli-'  independent  of  the  Colonies  was  achieved, 
ami  was  an  importanl  elemenl  in  the  development  N'f  that  town- 
slii|>;  for  he  was  a  saddler,  a  tailor,  a  miller,  a  black-smith,  ami  a 
bell-maker,  making  all  the  bells  for  Pines  Creek  stock  in  Ins  ii ; ,• 
time. 

.Mr.  Kirkpatrick  had  only  meagr lucationa]  advantages,  being 

in  school  bul  a  short  time  at  Sand  Hill  Academj  and  parts  of 
two  sessions  at  Transmontane-  Pevious  to  that,  however,  he  had 
been  taught  in  the  public  Bchools  of  his  neighborhood.  In  these 
months  and  years  the  boy  received  that  training  which  has  been  of 
incalculable  value  to  the  man. 

Hardly  had  he  finished  his  education  I.. 'lor,,  the  great  war  of 
1861  .-ami'  on.  !!<•  promptly  answered  the  call  for  volunteers  an  I 
in  .May.  1861,  enlisted  in  one  of  the  firsl  companies  that  went  ou1 
from  tin-  county.  lie  was  in  the  entire  war  from  'til  to  '{ 
endured  tin-  hardships  incident  to  a  soldier's  life,  once  being  ■!  i 
perately  wounded  in  battle  and  would  probably  have  been  either 
captured  or  killed  bul  for  the  kindness  of  Tom  Ferguson  who  car- 
ried him  off  the  field  to  a  place  of  safety. 

Returning  to  his  home,  after  the  war.  .Mr.  Kirkpatrick  began 
anew  tin-  battle  of  life  in  time  of  peace.  He  engaged  in  farming 
ami  stock-raising  in  which  he  has  been  successful  in  accumulating 
considerable  property  ami  in  giving  his  children  a  good  education 
Mr.  Kirkpatrick,  in  speaking  of  his  success,  said,  "I  have  raiser]  my 
children  to  do  better  ami  to  be  better  than  I  am." 

II.'  has  never  held  any  political  office,  bul  has  been  a  justi ' 

tin-  peace  for  twenty-five  years.    He  is  a  Life-long  !)<■ sral  am!  has 

consistently  voted  for  the  besl  interest  of  his  countj  as  he  -aw-  i: 
March  -1st.  1869,  In-  was  married  to  Laura  Ann  Byers.  They 
have  nine  children,  namely:  Dr.  W.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  now  practicing 
medicine  in  Smith  Carolina;  Amelia  Jane,  now  Mrs.  R,  L.  Hoke, 
Sarah  Adaline,  now  .Mrs.  Pinkne  McCrackeni  -John  R.,  now  a  mer- 
ehant  of  Crabtree;  ('has.  Siler,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Church; 
Maggie  Lucinda,  now  Mrs.  i;  r.  Long;  Hattie  stow...  oow  Mrs  w 
I..  McCracken:  Laura  French,  ami  Cleveland  Fain. 


164 


Lucius  Marcellus  Welch. 

Lucius  Marcellus  Welch  was  born  in  Waynesville  December 
6th,  1842,  being  the  youngest  of  ten  children.  His  father  was  Wil- 
liam Welch,  whose  sketch  is  found  elsewhere  in  this  publication. 
When  a  boy  he  was  sent  to  the  common  schools,  where  he  got  the 
rudiments  of  an  education.  Afterwards  he  was  sent  to  the  High 
School  in  Asheville,  taught  by  the  father  of  General  Stephen  D. 
Lee.  He  also  attended  a  session  or  two  at  Waynesville  under  the 
tutelage  of  Prof.  R.  H.  Dabney. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Welch  volunteered  and 
joined  company  E,  of  the  sixty-ninth  regiment.  During  the  entire 
period  of  the  war  he  was  commissary  sergeant  and  so  was  never 


165 

under  Are.  At  one  time,  however,  during  the  Valley  Campaign  in 
Virginia,  he  was  in  command  of  his  company.    Toward  the  close  of 

the  war  he,  with  Ins  company .  w  as  Benl  to  I  la\  w I  <  lounty  from  the 

seat  of  war  in  Virginia,  and  was  here  at  the  time  thai  Kirk  and  Bart- 
lt-tt  made  raids  through  the  county.  He  was  with  the  men  who 
made  an  attack  upon  Kirk  one  uighl  as  he  was  encamped  about  two 
miles  south  of  Waj  nesville, 

Coming  out  of  the*  war  Mr.  Welch  began  active  life  as  a  Farmer. 
He  lias  been  very  successful  in  accumulating  considerable  property. 
Be  lias  never  held  any  political  office,  his  inclinations  not  running 
in  that  direction.    He  is  a  Baptisl  and  a  .Mason. 

December  1st,  is7s.  he  was  married  \>>  Julia  Ann  Moore.    They 

have  three  children,  us ly:  Paul  J.,  who  is  a  planter  in  Texas; 

Cleveland  I>..  who  is  m  the  manufacturing  hnsinrss  in  Gtastonia; 
Miriam  Love,  now  Mrs.  A.  B.  Moore  of  Gastonia. 

Mr.  Welch  is  a  Leading  member  of  his  church  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  its  welfare.  Il«-  is  also  deeply  interested  in  the 
growth  and  development  of  Waynesville.  His  home  place,  "Welch 
Farm."  aboul  two  miles  from  Waynesville,  is  one  of  tin-  most 
beautiful  country  homes  in  the  CQunty. 


William  T.  Sharp. 

William  Turner  Sharp,  prominent  merchant  of  Canton,  was 
born  in  llayw 1  County  Sept.  7th,  1861. 

His  father  was  John  I'.  Sharp  also  n  native  of  this  county  and 
Berved  in  tin-  twenty-fifth  North  Carolina  regiment  during  the  war 
between  the  statrs.  His  mother  was  Mary  A.  Miller  of  Haywood  a 
daughter  of  David  Miller  of  Rockingham  County. 

Mr.  sharp  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  since  1893  and 

is  COnspicious   for  tin-   public  spirit    and    promine in   the   develop 

ment  of  Canton.  He  has  Berved  as  mayor  of  that  city  and  for  fif- 
teen  years  was  on  the  board  of  aldermen.  Prom  -Ian..  L903,  to 
Jan..  1905,  he  was  a  member  and  chairman  of  the  hoard  of  county 
commissioners. 

In  April.  1906,  In-  married  Norah  Hamilton,  daughter  of  W.  •' 

Hampton,   a    native   of   Buncombe   County,   hut    for   many  years  one 

of  the  leading  merchants  of  Canton,  of  three  children  horn  to 
thfin.  two  are  living:  bockwood,  Charles,  and  Aurelia. 

Mr.  sharp  is  a  prominent  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow  belonging  to 
the  local  lodges  and  assisting  materially  in  their  success.  He  is  quite 
influential  in  church  work,  being  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 


166 


William  T.  Sharp 


James  M.  Gwyn. 

James  McFaden  Gwyn,  son  of  James  Gwyn  and  Mary  Lenoir 
Gwyn,  was  born  in  Wilkesboro  November  27th,  1850.  For  a  few 
years  before  and  during  the  Civil  war  he  was  in  school  near  his 
home.  In  1868  and  1869  he  was  a  student  at  the  famous  Bingham 
school  at  Mebane.  In  1870  he  entered  college  at  old  Trinity  in 
Randolph  County.  Leaving  there  he  took  a  course  at  the  University 
of  Virginia,  completing  there  his  academic  education  in  1872. 

Leaving  college  that  year  he  went  into  the  cotton  milling  busi- 
ness at  Paterson  and  continued  for  nearly  two  years.  In  1875  he 
moved  to  Haywood  County  and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  stock-raising, 
and  fruit-growing.  In  these  branches  of  industry  Mr.  Gwyn  excels, 
for  he  has  made  a  study  of  them  and  has  reduced  each  one  to  a 
science. 

From  his  first  coming  to  the  county  Mr.  Gwyn  has  been  deeply 
interested  in  its  welfare.  .  He  has  taken  a  lively  interest  in  education 
and  has  ever  been  an  advocate  of  the  public  schools  as  well  as  other 


167 

institutions  winch  go  to  build  ap  b  people. 

As  ,i  farmer  and  stock  raiser  Mr.  Gwyn  has  made  mat. -rial  con- 
tributions to  ill"  county.  H<-  is  a  believer  in  and  a  raiser  of  Cull 
blooded  stock.  His  land  dot*  produces  fully  twice  as  much  to  the 
;,,.,-,.  ;is  ,t  did  when  be  moved  to  the  count}  m  1875,  to  Buch  a  high 
state  of  cultivation  lias  be  raised  it.  His  farm  is  Belf  sustaining.  II" 
aever  buys  haj  or  oats  or  feed  of  any  kind  for  his  stock.  It  is  all 
raised  on  the  farm.  On  ins  farm,  as  perhaps  the  only  farm  in  the 
county,  ensilage  is  put  ap  in  the  fall  for  the  Btock  during  the  winter- 
Prom  his  farm   Mr.  Gwyn  never  sells  anything  but  apples  and 

ick-    All  the  corn  and  bay  and  oats  and  other  E latuffs  that 

are  raised  in  abundance  be  feeds  to  his  stock,  and  he  always  has 
feed  enough  for  his  Btock  and  stock  enough  for  bis  feed.  His 
money  crop,  therfore,  is  the  Btock  and  apples  thai  be  produces  in 
greal  abundance.  On  the  Gwyn  farm  no  commercial  fertilizers  are 
need,  but  all  thai   is  Deeded  is  produced  righ.1  there. 

It   may  he  inferred,  therefore,  that    Mi-.   Gwyn's  efforts  bave 
-  iccessful.    II"  has  given  all  of  his  children  a  collegiate  educa- 
tion, "i-  will  have  done  so  before  they  finish  school.    Besides  be  has 
constantly  improved  his  lands  and  is  ;i  prosperous  citizen. 

In  1876  be  was  appointed  poa  master  at  Springdale,  his  hum.' 
office,  and  ha-  held  thai  position  continuously  since,  a  period  of 
thirty-four  years.  11"  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  bis  township 
rs,  and  for  four  years  was  county  commissioner. 
Maj  19,  1874,  .Mr-  Gwyn  was  married  to  Amelia  II.  Poster,  of 
Greensboro.  Their  children  are:  James  A.,  a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 
versity "!'  North  Carolina  and  a  r  sing  young  Lawyer  of  New  Fork; 
Elsie  I...  a  graduate  of  tin-  State  Normal  College,  and  dow  pursuing 
a  course  of  study  in  Corn. -II  University;  Thomas  Lenoir,  a  graduate 
of  the  State  University  and  now  a  prosperous  farmer  and  Btock- 
raiser;  Mary  1'..  a  graduate  of  Converse  College;  Amelia  II..  Annie 
L..  and  Elizabeth  G.,  the  last  two  being  now  in  school  at  Converse 
College. 

Mi-.  Gwyn  is  a  prominenl  communicanl  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
and  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 


T.  L.  Francis. 
Thomas  Leroy  Prancis  was  horn  near  Waynesville,  October  31, 
II  a  father,  I'..  I-'.  Francis,  horn  in  Washington  Counts.  Ten- 
March  20,  1822,  came  to  Hayw I  County  in  October,  1844, 

being  probably  the  firsl  of  the  nam"  in  the  county,  and  settled  oear 
tin-  presenl  Prancis  homestead  aboul  a  mile  from  Waynesville.    Tin- 


168 

elder  Francis  enlisted  in  the  army  in  September,  1863,  in  company  E, 
sixteenth  North  Carolina  regiment,  and  was  captured  and  held  in 
prison  in  Camp  Morton  until  he  was  released.  On  his  way  home  he 
stopped  in  McDowell  County,  where  he  died  March  21.  1865.  The 
eldest  son  of  the  one  just  mentioned,  born  December  18,  1847,  en- 
listee! at  the  age  of  16  in  company  E  of  Thomas's  Legion  (junior 
reserves)  and  was  captured  on  Cattaloochee  and  carried  to  Camp 
Chase,  where  he  was  held  as  a  prisoner  until  his  death  May  3,  1865, 
a  brave  boy  thus  giving  up  his  young  life  for  his  country.  The 
mother  of  Thomas  L.  Francis  was  Annie  Shurfey.of  Washington 
County.  Tennessee- 
Mr.  Francis  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  progressive  farmers 
of  the  county,  and  as  an  advocate  of  good  roads  performed  excellent 
work  as  road  commissioner  during  1904  and  1905,  a  position  to 
which  he  was  appointed  at  the  time  AVaynesville  township  voted  a 
fifty  thousand  dollar  bond  issue  for  macadam  roads. 

In  January.  1879,  he  was  married  to  Nancy  E.  Katcliff.  daughter 
of  J.  X.  Ratcliff  of  this  county.  Their  living  children  are:  William 
J.,  now  principal  of  the  High  Point  Graded  School;  Etta  May, 
teacher  in  the  same  school,  Hester  F.,  Maud,  Mary.  Harley,  and 
Marcus. 


Riley  M.  Ferguson. 

.  Riley  M.  Ferguson  was  born.  July  4th.  1852.  in  Crabtree  town- 
ship. His  father,  Thomas  Ferguson,  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
but  later  moved  to  Haywood  and  bought  the  farm  on  which  the 
homestead  is  located  to-day.  He  was  a  successful  farmer.  His 
mother  was  Mary  Jones  Ferguson. 

When  a  boy  Mr.  Ferguson  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
neighborhood  where  lie  received  some  of  the  training  that  has 
helped  him  in  life.  Later,  he  entered  the  High  School  in  Waynes- 
ville  and  took  a  course  there  finishing  in  1872.  Leaving  school  that 
year  he  began  work  'as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  his  father's 
farm. 

Since  that  time  he  has  been  in  that  fine  of  business  continu- 
ously- He  is  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  his  section,  and  his  cattle 
are  the  admiration  of  all  who  see  them.  He  believes  in  fine  stock 
and  has  spent  much  time  and  money  in  his  efforts  to  improve  the 
breed  of  cattle  on  his  farm.  He  is  now  one  of  the  well-to-do  farm- 
ers in  Haywood  County.    His  word  and  his  bond  are  both  good. 

Mr.  Ferguson  has  never  held  any  political  office,  but  is  a  prom- 
inent Republican  and  has  been  the  candidate  of  his  party  several 


169 


Riley  M    Ferguson 


times   for  differenl    positions  in   tli unty.     In    1f,||(1  he   was  the 

candidate  for  sheriff  and  claims  thai  he  was  elected  bul  counted  <>ut. 
In   1901  he  w.is  appointed  tax  collector  for  Haywood  County. 

December  22,  1886,  he  was  married  t«»  Mary  Emily  Noland,  of 
this  county.  Their  children  are:  Rufus  Weaver,  Sarah  Lula,  and 
Fannie  Rose. 

.Mr.  Ferguson  is  ,i  prominenl  member  of  the  M  E.  Church, 
South.  II<-  is  a  man  of  influence  in  his  community,  a  believer  in 
education,  and  a  helper  in  everything  thai  helps  to  build  up  the 
county  and  improve  its  citizenship. 


170 

■  William  J.  Wilson. 

William  Jesse  Wilson,  now  a  citizen  of  Texas,  was  born  in 
Mississippi,  Nov-  17.  1828.  He  was  the  son  of  Jethro  Wilson  and 
Eunice  Wood  Wilson.  As  a  boy  he  had  very  poor  advantages  of 
an  education,  his  parents  dying  when  he  was  quite  young.  He  was 
brought  up  in  the  home  of  Joseph  Wilson,  an  uncle,  living  at  Lin- 
colnton,  and  being  the  solicitor  for.  some  years  of  the  Asheville  dis- 
trict. In  all  he  was  in  school  about  six  weeks.  He  became,  however, 
by  hard  study  and  close  application  one  of  the  best  scholars  that 
ever  lived  in  Haywood  County. 

About  1850  he  came  to  Haywood  and  taught  school  at  Waynes- 
ville.  Among  his  students,  at  that  time,  were  Judge  Norwood, 
Mrs.  M.  J.  Branner  and  others.  He  also  taught  at  Hickory  Grove 
in  Pigeon  township  and  at  other  places  in  the  county.  For  a  long 
number  of  years  he  was  superintendent  of  the  county  schools  and 
taught  during  the  time- 
When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  company  I,  sixty- 
second  regiment,  and  was  elected  captain.  He  was  in  some  of  the 
bloody  battles  of  '62  and  '63-  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  1863  and 
held  at  Johnson's  Island  until  the  war  closed.  While  in  prison 
Captain  Wilson  wrote  a  spelling  book,  which  was  at  one  time 
adopted  by  the  State  for  use  in  the  public  schools.  It  is  a  book  of 
real  merit. 

Coming  back  to  Haywood  County  after  the  war  he  became 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  county.  He  was  superintendent  of 
schools  and  member  of  the  Legislature.  For  six  years  he  was 
enrolling  clerk  of  the  State  Legislature  in  which  position  he  per- 
formed signal  services.  In  1880  he  left  Haywood  County  and  is  now 
living  in  San  Saba,  Texas. 

Captain  Wilson  was  married  first  to  Mary  M.  Cathey,  daughter 
of  Colonel  Joseph  Cathey,  and  later  to  Mrs.  Edmonston.  widow  of 
Dr.  Rupe  Edmonston  and  daughter  of  Major  William  Bryson  of 
Jackson  County.  He  lias  five  children,  Mary  E.,  who  married  J.  M. 
Osborne;  Laura  L..  married  J.  J.  Justice;  W.  W.  Wilson,  living  on 
Pigeon;  1)}-.  J.  E.  Wilson,  now  chairman  of  the  comity  school  board; 
and  Arthur  B.  Wilson,  a  prominent  Lawyer  of  Texas. 


171 


J.  H.  Way,  M.  D. 
Dr.  Joseph  Howell  Way  was  born  in  Waco,  Texas,  November  22, 


1865.  His  father  was  Charles  Burr  Way  and  his  mother  Martha 
Julia  Howell  Way.  His  father  moved  from  Texas  to  Buncombe 
County  in  the  early  seventies  and  was  for  many  years  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  that  county,  being  for  Beveral  terms  superintendent 

Of  schools  ami  ;i   tf.n-h-  p  of  DOte. 

Dr.  Way  received  all* of  his  academic  training  directly  under  the 
supervision  of  Ins  father,  who  was  careful  and  painstaking  in  the 
education  of  his  children.  After  getting  a  liberal  education  in  that 
way  tin-  boy,  Dow  a  young  man.  became  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools.    He  was  oi f  the  five  successful  applicants  for  first  grade 


172 

teachers'  certificate  at  that  time.  Dr.  James  Atkins,  now  Bishop 
Atkins,  was  the  county  superintendent  and  issued  the  certificate  to 
the  ambitious  young  teacher.  He  taught  during  parts  of  three  years, 
1882,  1883,  and  1884. 

Having  decided  to  study  medicine  Dr.  "Way  attended  lectures 
first  at  the  Medical  College  of  Virginia,  Kichmond.  Later,  he  went 
to  Vanderbilt  University,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1886.  Locating  in  Waynesville,  that  year,  he 
began  the  slow  process  of  building  up  the  large  practice  which  he  has 
to-day. 

Dr.  Way,  immediately  after  locating  in  Waynesville,  became 
identified  with  the  profession  in  Haywood  County  and  has  been 
active  in  all  of  its  organizations.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  having  joined  that  body  twenty-one  years  ago.  He 
has  held  every  high  office  in  the  gift  of  that  body.  In  1897  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  State  board  of  medical  examiners  and  was 
secretary  of  the  board  until  1902.  That  year  he  was  chosen  secretary 
of  the  State  Medical  Society  and  re-elected  in  1903,  1904,  and  1905. 
In  1907  he  was  unanimously  elected  president  of  that  body,  serving 
until  June,  1908,  and  presiding  at  the  Winston  meeting  of  the 
Society. 

In  1905  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Glenn  to  membership  on 
the  State  Board  of  Health,  which  appointment  was  for  a  term  of  six 
years.  Dr-  Way  is  now  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Tri-State 
Medical  Association  of  the  three  States  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
and  South  Carolina.  This  Association  was  quite  small  when  he  took 
hold  of  it  three  years  ago,  but  it  is  now  a  large  and  influential  organ- 
ization. Besides  these  positions,  he  was  also  for  two  years  a  member 
of  the  National  Medical  Congress,  this  State  being  allowed  only  two 
members. 

Besides  being  prominent  in  medical  circles  Dr.  Way  is  also  an 
influential  Arcanumite.  He  was  elected  by  the  Grand  Council  in 
1896  to  the  position  of  Grand  Secretary  and  has  held  it  continuously 
since,  having  been  unanimously  re-elected  eleven  times.  His  ac- 
curate and  systematic  method  of  keeping  the  records  of  that  exacting 
body  has  been  commended  by  the  retiring  Grand  Regents  for  a 
dozen  years. 

July  3,  1888,  Dr.  Way  was  married  to  Marietta  Welch,  daughter 
of  the  late  Dr.  Welch  of  this  county.  They  have  two  children,  Hilda, 
who  is  in  college  at  Peace  Institute,  Raleigh;  J.  H.,  Jr.,  who  is  a 
freshman  at  Davidson  College. 

Dr.  Way  is  a  prominent  Mason,  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  Royal. 


173 


Arcanian.    1 1<-  is  ;i  member 
1>  •!■  of  -.  \  rial   nrgantzal  ioi 

•innal.     He  is  a   prolific  writer,  and  bac 
articles  to  various  medical  journals.     He  is  at   presenl 
oi  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Waynesville  Qra<l*d  s-h 


I  the  .M.  B.  Church,  South,  and  a  mem- 
.   in   the   medical   world,   national   and 

Qtributed    many 

member 


Wilburn  A  Campbell. 

Wilbuni   Alexander  Campbell   was   born   S  22,    L841, 

near  Newton,  Catawba  County.  His  father,  John  l>.  Campbell,  was 
of  Scotch-Irish  descrnt.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth  Bumgarner, 
of  Catawba  County.    Mr.  Campbell's  early  education  was  deficient. 


174 

He  went  a  few  months  to  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county 
before  the  war.  such  schools  then  being  taught  in  log  houses.  His 
school  life  was  not  over  eighteen  months  in  all. 

The  Civil  Avar  came  on  before  he  had  equipped  himself  for  his 
life's  duties.  He  promptly  volunteered  and  served  two  yea>rs  in  the 
twenty-eighth  North  Carolina  regiment.  He  was  in  the  army  of 
Northern  Virginia  and  was  a  participant  in  the  stirring  events  of 
1861  and  1862,  being  in  some  of  the  big  battles  of  these  years. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1862  he  was  transferred  to  Thomas's  Legion 
and  with  that  body  of  resolute  men  did  heroic  service-  Toward  the 
latter  part  of  1864  or  early  in  1865  he  was  sent  along  with  the  rest 
of  the  legion  to  Haywood  County,  and  was  present  when  Kirk  made 
his  raid  through  the  county  in  March,  1865.  Mr.  Campbell  met 
Kirk's  forces  on  the  Jonathan's  Creek  road  as  they  were  coming  to 
Waynesville.  Being  alone  he  wheeled  his  horse  and  ran  to  get  out 
of  the  way.  The  Federals  fired  at  him  and  the  balls  cut  the  hair 
on  his  head,  but  he  escaped  unhurt. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Campbell  settled  in  Ivy  Hill  township  and 
engaged  in  the  saw  mill  business  and  in  farming.  He  put  up  the 
first  power  mill  in  the  county  and  built  the  first  painted  house  on 
Jonathan's  Creek.  He  has  been  successful  in  accumulating  consid- 
erable property.  He  has  always  been  a  robust  man  and  has  never 
taken  a  dose  of  medicine  in  his  life. 

In  1876  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners and  served  one  term.  He  has  never  held  any  other  office,  his 
tastes  not  leading  him  that  way- 
November  6th.  1863.  he  married  Martha  Jane  Plott,  of  this 
county.  They  have  eight  children,  namely :  Amos  La  Fayette,  Clar- 
enee  Alexander,  Robert  Gustavus  Adolphus.  Sarah  Callie  Emeline 
(Mrs.  J.  R.  Boyd.)  David  Crockett,  Verlin  Asbury,  Wilbiirn  Com- 
rock,  and  John  Partem. 

Mr.  Campbel  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  and  of 
the  Roval  Arcanum. 


Thomas  L.  Green. 

Thomas  Lincoln  Green,  postmaster  at  Waynesville,  was  born  in 
Haywood  County,  Dec.  31st,  1867.  Thaddeus  M.  Green,  his  father, 
and  Thomas  Green,  his  grand  father,  were  also  natives  of  Haywood 
County.  His  mother.  Temperance  Louisa  Shook,  was  a  daughter 
of  David  Shook.  Thaddeus  M.  Green,  his  father,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  from  1861-5  and  was  in  the  twenty- 
fifth  North  Carolina  volunteer  infantry. 


17.". 

.Mr  Green  was  educated  al  the  Clyde  High  School  and  al  the 
University  <'t'  Xorth  Carolina,  where  h<-  studied  law.     He  wa 
mitted  i«»  the  bar  in  1895.     Previous  to  thai  time  he  had  read  law 
under  the  guidance  of  the  late   Hon.  James   M.   Moody.     !!<•  also 
taught  hi  the  public  schools  of  the  countj  for  aboul  thr< 

After  spending  a  few  years  in  the  practice  of  Ins  profession  he 
$  to  the  posil  i"ii  of  I  nit. 
and  served  until   1901.     During  the  uexl  tw<.  years  he  was  private 
nan  Moody.     Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Moody 
I  Mr.  Green  was  I  deputy  United  States  n 

I    imlil   aboul    the   lirst    of   1907.      In    April   of  that 
year  he  was  appointed  postmaster  and  lias  held  thai  position  Bince. 

In  1899  Mr.  Green  was  active  in  promoting  the  cause  of  •  ■'ln- 
.cation  in  Waynesville,  and,  upon  the  organization  of  the  Graded 
School,  in  thai  year,  was  Darned  <>n  tin-  hoard  <>f  trustees  and  has 
been  secretary  <>f  the  board  since.  In  1900  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
of  the  board  of  Aldermen  of  Waynesville. 

.Mr.  Green  was  married  in  December,   lsv^.  to  Dora  J.  Roj 
daughter  of  Jackson  Rogers  of  this  county.    They  have  five  children 
living:  Lawrence  E.  now  in  college  a1    Wake   Forest;   E.   McKinley, 
Arthur  J.,  Lillian,  and  Louise. 


176 


Thomas  L.  Green 


177 


William  H.  Rich- 

WaitoHouatonRich,. I  John  C*Mn  Kch  and  Elizabeth 

x„„  BfceTllieh,  waa  born  on  -l than'a  Creea  tort, V"*^" 

,;.„„„ I  County  boye,  -rithout  m  be  ta*»f«* 

,    „,   ...I,,,,,':..,,    -^getting  a  Uttle  .tart  m  the  n.«hWbo«d 

, H nured  the  Wayneevflle  Aeaden,, <£«  ho  a£d»d .m» 

,..,sr,.lly  tor  »......•  li He  afterward.  et»d.ed  .n  the  Clyd,   H.gh 

^i.ii«,<»l  -iimI  .it  .1  ik1s.hi  College. 

K  "L  hhus-ir  ealled  ...  preaeb  Mr.  Rioh  began  to  p«p« 

„,,,,•„•  sl iallyfbrtl fc     He  atudied  w,th  tarn* «- 

Clyde  and  at  Jud. lollege     A,,.-, opletmg  a  eoo»e  of  atadj 

b.  waa  ordained  ae  a  iater  and  entered  n, ,~*H™5 

howew,    taught   «I I    for  - .—   "•*«   enter"VCt"^ 

„ £„.rkaa Lniater.    He ght  for  aome  « „,,„•  ,.„!.■ 

. bTofH^ IC tyand*  An, hSe ary.nl 

C 'ty.     £g  the  ti»<    he  waa  teaehing  he  wa.  al»  l"-" * 

whenever  an  opportunity  waa  presented- 

"to ^902  he  entered  the  Southern  Baptiat  TI logical  Senunary 

„  l,,,,,^,,!...  Ky.,  and  rtudied  .1 logy  for  tw.  J 

aip,01B.M.g™dMteinth.t.nbject.ttl ad  of  t  fame    H 

ha.  brtde.  that  degree   th.  degree  of  bwhelor  of  ^ I  doeto, 


178 


in  psychology,  .the  latter  degree  from  the  Chicago  school  of  Psy- 
chology. 

As  a  pastor  and  evangelist  Mr.  Rich  has  achieved  really  wonderful 
success  in  so  short  a  time.  After  leaving  the  Seminary  in  1903,  he 
was  called  to  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Newbern  and  remained 
there  until  called  to  Salisbury,  from  which  position  he  was  called  to 
his  present  pastorate  of  Vineville  Baptist  Church,  a  wealthy  and  in- 
fluential congregation  of  Macon,  Ga.  He  is  now  doing  a  splendid 
work  in  that  Southern  city. 

In  May,  1894,  Mr.  Rich  was  married  to  Mattie  Eleanor  Haynes, 
daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  H.  P.  Haynes,  of  Clyde-  They  have  four 
children:  William  Broadus  Haynes,  Flora  Eugenia,  Willie  Eleanor, 
and  John  Whitehead. 

Mr.  Rich  is  a  Master  and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  Knight  of 
Pythias,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of 
American  Mechanics.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  these  orders,  and 
sees  a  chance  in  them  to  extend  his  opportunities  for  usefulness. 

Mr.  Rich  is  a  true  son  of  Haywood.,  for  he  is  greatly  interested 
in  everything  pertaining  to  the  best  interests  of  the  county.  Though 
a  voluntary  exile  from  his  native  county  he  frequently  looks  towards 
his  native  hills- 


A  Group  of  Haywood  Indians. 


L79 


I. mi.  II.  l\  Ibvncs.  <s,t  page  63.  Capt.  W.  I'.  Welch,  (See  page  7:;. 


Col.  U.  (i.  A.  Love,  (See  page  7». 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Governmental  and  Sociological. 


No  story  of  the  county  would  be  complete  without  a  record  at 
least  of  the  governmental  machinery,  together  with  the  different 
benevolent  and  sociological  institutions  now  existing  among  us.  No 
history  of  the  different  organizations  is  attempted — only  a  state- 
ment as  to  their  present  status. 


County  Government. 
Commissioners,  M.  M.  Xoland,  Fines  Creek;  E.  H.  Howell,  Jonathan's 
Creek,  F.  C.  Haynes,  Clyde. 

Sheriff W.  R.  Medford 

Clerk  of  Court R-  A.  L.  Hyatt 

Register  of  Deeds J.  R.  Boyd 

Treasurer Hugh  A.  Love 

Coroner Dr.  J.  E.  Moore 

Surveyor    O.O.   Sanf ord 

Town  Government. 

Mayor H.  R.  Ferguson 

Aldermen   Dr.  B.   F.  Smathers,  G.  W.  Maslin,  D.  A.  Howell,  J.  P. 
Francis,  James  McLean. 

Clerk  and  Treasurer   J.  H.  Howell 

Tax   Collector    J.   P.   Knox 

Chief  of  Police  R.  G.  A.  Love 

Supt.  Water  Works  and  Electric  Lights Walter  Hawk. 

County  Public  Schools. 

Board  of  Education, Dr-  J.  E.  Wilson,  J.  K.  Boone,  J.  F.  Shelton 

Superintendent    R.    A.    Sentelle. 


181 

The  sehoola  are  in  i  good  condition.    A  five  months  term  each 
year  is  maintained.     About  Beventj  five  teachers  are  employed.     At 

Canton  ia  a  good  Graded  School  under  the  superintendei f  Prof. 

K.  I).  McDowell.     Thia  school  was  organized  in   1907  and  is  doing 
a  splendid  work.     At    Waynesville  the  Rrs1   Graded  School   in  the 

county    iraa  organized  in   Is!"1  under  the  directi I  Prof.   W.  < >„ 

Allen,   who  was  thai   year  elected   superintendent.     It    is  doing  a 
•rival  work  along  educational  lines. 


The  Haywood  County  Medical  Society. 

Among  the  influences  for  social  and  professional  uplift  exerted 
in  Haywood  County  during  t  h < ■  past  twentj  years  has  been  1 1n*  organ 
isation  of  the  Legal  practitioners  of  medicine  in  the  county  known 
as  the  Haywood  County  Medical  Society.  The  meeting  of  organi- 
sation was  held  in  Waynesville  at  the  office  of  Dr.  Way  on  Augual 
2,  1889,  and  the  organization  effected  with  the  enroll  nenl  of  fivemem- 
bera.  Dr.  Chas.  B.  Roberts,  of  Clyde,  was  elected  Presidenl  with  Dr. 
K.  < '.  Mllis.  of  Waynesville,  Secretary.  Later  others  were  added 
untii  in  a  ahoii  time  the  list  enrolled  practically  every  legal  physi- 

cian  reaidenl  in  tl ranty-     In  1905  when  under  the  inspiration  of 

a  Haywood  County  physician  the  North  Carolina  State  Medical 
Society  was  reorganized  and  tin-  local  county  medical  societies 
made  the  basis  or  unil  of  the  state  Society,  Hayw I  County  .Medi- 
cal Society  was  the  first  one  to  be  "chartered  a  componenl  county 
medical  society  of  the  Medical  Society  of  the  state  of  North  Caro 
lina."  The  occasional  meetings  of  the  County  Society  have  been 
helpful  in  bringing  aboul  ;m<l  fostering  relations  between  the  var- 
ious physicians  which  have  been  moal  helpful  and  improving  t<>  the 
profession  and  people  as  well. 

At  pies. tit  Dr.  K.  L  Allen,  of  Wayneaville,  is  president; 
Dr.  -I.  Howell  Way,  secretary;  Dr.  J.  Rufus  McCracken,  delegate 
to  the  state  Society- 

'IT  •  following  gentlemen  compose  the  Hayw I  County  Medical 

Society:  Dr.  J.  F.  Abel,  Waynesville;  Dr.  R.  L.  Allen,  Waynesville; 
Dr.  Francis  M.  Davis.  Clyde;  Dr.  Fred  C.  Hyatt.  Waynesville;  Di 
W  A.  Graham,  Fines  Creek;;  Dr.  Wm.  I..  Kirkpatrick,  Pacolct,  S. 
('.;  Dr.  B.  II.  Greenwood,  Waynesville;  \)y.  .1  Rufus  McCracken, 
Wayneaville;  Dr.  J.  II  Mease,  Canton:  Dr«  McLean  Rogers,  Guerj 
Oklahoma;  Dr.  Thomas  Stringfield,  Waynesville;  Dr.  Saml  L. 
Stringfield,  Wayneaville;  Dr.  II.  L.  McFadyen,  Waynesville;  Dv  .1. 

H.-well   Way.   Waynesville;   Dr.  A.   I'.   Willis.  Canto,,;   Dr.  .1.   B.   Wil- 
son.  Sonoma;    Dr    Jas     I'.     Moon-,   Canton. 


182 

Daughters  of  the  Confederacy. 

This  body  was  organized  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  W.  W.  String- 
field,  Jan.  20.   1906.     The  following  are  the  officers: 

President Mrs.  M.  J.  Branner< 

First  Vice-President Mrs.  B.  J.  Sloan 

Sccmd  Vice-President Mrs.  R.  E.  Osborne 

Third   Vice-President   Mrs-  S.  J.  Shelton 

Corresponding  Secretary   Mrs.  J.     H.  Way 

Recording  Secretary Mrs.  J.  W.  Ferguson 

Treasurer Mrs  D.  M.  Killian 

At  present  the  membership  of  the  Chapter  is  eighteen-  The 
object  of  the  organization  is  to  keep  green  the  graves  of  the 
old  soldiers,  to  honor  their  memory,  and  to  teach  patriotism  and 
reverence  to  the  rising  generations.  Crosses  of  honor  to  the  veter- 
ans of  the  Civil  war  have  been  distributed  by  this  Society. 

Daughters  of  American  Revolution. 

The  Dorcas  Bell  Love  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution  was  organized,  Jan.  9,  1899,  at  the  residence  of  the  Misses 
(indue)'  in  Waynesville.    The  present  officers  are  as  follows: 

Regent Mrs.  D.  A.  Baker 

Recording  Secretary Miss  Elizabeth  Cole 

Treasurer   Mrs.  Robt-  Mitchell 

Registrar • Mrs.  B.  J-  Sloan 

Chaplain  Mrs.  M.  J.  Branner 

All  worthy  enterprises  of  a  patriotic  nature  are  encouraged  by 
this  Society.  Some  years  ago  they  presented  a  handsome  flag  and 
picture  to  the  Waynesville  Graded  School,  and  this  year  a  gold 
medal  is  offered  by  the  Chapter  to  the  boy  in  the  Graded  School 
who  shall  deliver  the  best  declamation  at  the  closing  exercises  next 
May. 


Pink  Welch  Camp. 
About  twenty  years  ago  the  Pink  Welch  Camp  of  the  United 
Confederate  Veterans  of  Haywood  County  was  oganized.     The  fol- 
lowing are  the  officers  at  present: 

Commander Col.  W.  W.  Stringfield 

First    Lieut-  Commander    J.   A.   Collins 

Second   Lieut.   Commander    : S.   J.   Shelton 

Third    Lieut.  Commander   Stephen  Redmond 

Adjutant Marion  Russell 

Surgeon Dr.  H.  L.  McFadyen- 


1-  : 

The  organization  now  numbers  about  forty  members,  [ts  object 
is  t«>  keep  fresh  the  memory  of  the  heroes  in  pray  who  lost  their 
lives  on  the  battlefields  or  have  passed  awaj  Bince  the  war  closed. 
Its  members  have  no  apologies  to  make  for  whal  they  did  during 
the  stirring  times  of  6]  to 


The  Churches. 

h  can  only  !"•  Baid  briefly  thai  the  people  of  Haywood  County 
are  believers  in  churches.  Their  religious  instincts  have  been  marked 
throughout  their  history.  It  is  Baid  thai  one  person  in  every  three 
in  thf  county  is  a  member  of  some  church. 

MrthiM  lists.  I'.jipt  ists.  Presbj  i  .li.ins.  and  Episcopalians,  all  have 
flourishing  churches  in  the  county.  The  first  two  denominations  are 
very  strong,  there  being  over  twenty  churches  and  three  thousand 
members  of  each  denominal i<>n. 


The  Lodges. 

Haywood  County  people  are  also  believers  in  fraternal  orders 
Lodges  of  Mas. his.  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Royal  Arcanum, 

and  'V linen  of  the  World  have  been  established  in  the  eounty. 

In  Waynesville  there  are  lodgers  of  Masons,  Odd  Fellows  Subordi- 
nate, Encampment,  and  Rebekahs,)  Woodmen,  and  Ladies  of  the 
Maccabees-  At  Clyde  there  are  Lodges  of  Masons,  <M<I  Fellows,  and 
Knights.  At  Canton  the  same  fraternal  orders  have  lodges.  On 
Jonathan's  Creek  there  is  a  Lodge  of  <>(|(|  Fellows.  All  of  these 
lodges  are  in  a  fairly  flourishing  condition. 

Conclusion. 
Now  tin-  task  is  done.    The  history  of  ti uiity  has  been  given 

in  as  fair  a   lighl   as  possible.      No  words  more  fitting  Could   I"'   OSed 

i!.  elnning  than  the  following  poem  written  bj  Miss  .Mary  Josephine 
Love  now  our  .Mrs.  M  .1.  Branner  tit't\  years  ago  when  Bhe  was  a 
Rchnnl  girl  sixteen  years  old  and  published  in  the  Asheville  News: 


Old  Haywood,  I  Love  Thee! 

<>ld  Mayw I.  I  love  thee,  and  ne'er  from  mj  heart. 

Shall  thy  image  of  loveliness  fade  or  depart; 
It  will  linger  around  me  where'er  I  maj  roam. 

And  siiiLr  of  th«—  ever,  my  childhood's  fair  liome. 


Microfilmed 
SOLINET/ASERL  PROJECT 


184 


T  love  thy  green  meadows,  thy  soft  sloping  hills, 
The  birds  of  thy  wild-woods,  the  songs  of  thy  rills ; 
The  fields  of  rich  harvest,  which  round  thee  unfold, 
Thy  sweet  scented  flowers  of  purple  and  gold. 

And  .thy  mountains !  so  towering,  so  sublimely  grand ! 
Their  tops  touch  the  clouds  and  seem  ether  to  span ; 
And  as  their  peaks  heavenward  e'er  reach  as  they  rise, 
They  point  us  below  to  a  home  in  the  skies. 

The  noise  of  the  cataract  heard  from  thy  hills, 
Is  mingled  with  murmurs  of  bright  sparkling  rills, 
Dancing  fairy-like  onward  in  a  glittering  band, 
'Till  their  music  is  hushed  in  thy  placid  Richland. 

Then  Richland  winds  gently  through  woodland  and  glade ; 
Now  sparkling  in  sunshine,  now  peaceful  in  shade; 
When  its  murmurs  are  hushed  in  the  bright  stream  that  laves 
The  base  of  the  mountains  with  white-crested  waves. 

There  may  be  bright  spots  on  this  wide  spreading  earth, 
Fairer  and  brighter  than  the  place  of  my  birth, 
But  oh!  there  is  none  over  land  over  sea, 
More  dear  to  my  heart — like  Haywood  to  me. 

There  is  none  to  lie  found  that  with  me  e'er  can  vie 
With  this  fairy-like  home,  'neath  heaven's  blue  eye. 
Where  the  sons  ever  brave  and  the  daughters  e'er  fair, 
Live  in  peace  and  contentment,  without  sorrow  or  care- 

Tho'  the  iron-horse  may  ne'er  through  thy  wildmountainsrun. 
Could  it  make  thee  more  dear  to  the  heart  of  a  son? 
No !  no  ! — though  not  gilded  by  sciences  and  arts, 
Vet  nature  hath  made  thee  as  dear  to  our  hearts. 

Then  talk  not  to  me  of  Italia 's  blue  sky, 
The  wealth  of  the  Indies,  where  bright  diamonds  lie; 
They  would  prove  to  me  ever  a  sad,  worthless  dome, 
For  my  heart  would  be  sighing  for  Haywood  my  home. 


HAYWOOD'S    BEAUTY    SPOT! 

EAGLES  NEST 


Altitude  5050  feet 

2800  Feet  Higher  Than  Asheville 

Midst  Scenery   Grand   and  Beautiful  beyond  Description. 

CLIMATE— More  agreeable  than  at  lower  altitudes,  above  the 
valley  chill  and  fog,  and  frequently  above  the  clouds. 


WATER— Pure  Freestone,  unexcelled  at  any  other  resort  in 
this  country. 

HOTEL— Modern,  Clean  and  Cozy,  overlooking  Waynes- 
ville  3  miles  distant.  An  ideal  spot  for  rest  and  re- 
cuperation, and  freedom  from  Hay  Fever. 

S.  C.  SATTERTHWA1T,  Propr. 
Eagles   Nest   Post  Office  or  Waynesville,  N.  C. 


